Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Collecting Debris From a Body of Water

ABSTRACT

A system for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on a waterborne vessel includes at least one collection chamber, water discharge pump and sensor. The at least one sensor is communicably coupled to the water discharge pump(s) and configured to gather information about debris near or inside the vessel. At least one water discharge pump is automatically turned on and off based at least partially upon information gathered by the at least one sensor.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/392,765 filed on Jul. 27, 2022 and entitled “Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Collecting Floating Debris”, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to recovering debris or contaminants from a body of water. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to recovering floating oil, chemicals, beads, trash, biological materials, other substances or materials at offshore or inland, underground or aboveground locations.

BACKGROUND

Historically, it has proven difficult to remove debris, or contaminants, effectively and efficiently from onshore and offshore bodies of water and other locations. Some variables that may hinder such recovery efforts include the large amount of debris often needed to be recovered, the different types of debris, the rapid speed at which the debris spreads, the effect of wind, waves, rough seas and other environmental factors on the recovery operations and the limited size and/or capacity of existing recovery systems. Presently available debris recovery systems and techniques are thus believed to have one or more limitations or disadvantages.

For example, presently known vessels being used or promoted to collect waterborne debris are typically unable to efficiently and/or effectively collect different types of debris. For another example, in the offshore and inland waterway oil spill recovery arenas, various existing oil skimmers are believed to be unable to recover large volumes of oil. Many known systems cannot separate out significant amounts (or any) of the collected oil from sea water, resulting in limited on-board oil storage and oil recovery capacity. In fact, many existing systems cause further emulsification of the oil and water and thus cannot return separated water back to the sea or other body of water, limiting on-board oil storage capacity, increasing cost and time, etc. Other existing oil skimmers attempt to separate the recovered oil from sea water, but are slow and therefore largely ineffective at recovering substantial volumes of oil.

It should be understood that the above-described disadvantages, limitations, features, capabilities, examples, advantages and other details are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope or subject matter of this disclosure or the appended claims. Thus, none of the appended claims should be limited by the above discussion or construed to address, include or exclude each or any of the above-cited disadvantages, limitations, features, capabilities, examples, details or advantages merely because of their mention above.

Accordingly, there exists a need for improved systems, apparatus and methods useful in connection with debris recovery operations having one or more of the attributes or capabilities described or shown in, or as may be apparent from, this patent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves autonomous systems for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on a waterborne vessel. The vessel is unmanned and includes a single collection chamber having upper and lower ends and a sloping roof at the upper end. The vessel further includes at least one debris pump and water discharge pump both fluidly coupled to the collection chamber. Debris and water from the body of water are collected in the collection chamber, separated and discharged separately off the vessel. At least one internal sensor is disposed at least partially within the collection chamber and communicably coupled to at least one electronic controller. The internal sensor is configured to gather information about contents of the collection chamber and communicate such information to the controller. At least one external sensor is associated with the body of water and communicably coupled to the controller. The external sensor is configured to gather information about debris in the body of water and communicate such information to the controller. The controller is configured to turn on and off the water discharge pump based at least partially upon information from the external sensor and turn on and off the debris pump based at least partially upon information from the internal sensor, both without human involvement.

The following features are optional. If desired, the debris pump and water discharge pump are disposed in the collection chamber. The upper end of the collection chamber may be vaulted, have a generally inverted-funnel shape or a generally cathedral-ceiling shape. The collection chamber may have at least one flooding port fluidly coupling the collection chamber to the body of water. The flooding port may be selectively opened to allow the collection chamber to be free-flooded with water from the body of water without the need for any pumps to fill the collection chamber with water or purge the collection chamber of air. The ceiling of the collection chamber may be sufficiently spaced downwardly from at least one top deck of the vessel so that after the collection chamber is free-flooded with water (without the need for any pumps to fill the collection chamber with water or purge the collection chamber of air), the vessel will sink in the body of water until the collection chamber is completely full of water.

In some instances, an inflow regulator (IFR) may be releasably coupled to the vessel and extend at least partially across the flow path of debris and water recovered from the body of water travelling on the vessel. The IFR may have a carrier and at least two buoyant floats releasably engageable with the carrier, wherein the buoyancy of the IFR can be varied by changing the number of buoyant floats coupled to the carrier.

If desired, the system may include one or more intake openings fluidly coupling the collection chamber with the body of water. An inflow tunnel may be fluidly coupled between the intake opening and collection chamber and through which all debris entering the collection chamber from the intake opening must pass. The inflow tunnel may be at least partially formed between opposing first and second walls and have a width extending therebetween, wherein the width of the inflow tunnel can be selectively varied, such as by adding or removing one or more spacers between the first and second walls.

Water from the collection chamber may be removed through an inlet of the water discharge pump and the velocity of water entering the water discharge pump inlet may be slowed by at least one barrier (e.g., suction diffusers) disposed at least partially in the collection chamber. The system may include at least one intake opening through which debris and water enter the vessel from the body of water and a flow passageway fluidly coupling the intake opening and collection chamber, and the velocity of water entering the water discharge pump inlet may be reduced by at least one barrier disposed at least partially between the intake opening or flow passageway and water discharge pump inlet. The barrier may include a perforated suction diffuser and all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass through the suction diffuser. The suction pressure of the water discharge pump may be distributed by the suction diffuser across an area greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

The vessel may include first and second water discharge outlets fluidly coupled to the water discharge pump. Water from the collection chamber may be discharged by the water discharge pump off the vessel in a discharge path at least substantially parallel to the surface of water in the body. The first and second water discharge outlets may be disposed proximate to the bottom of the vessel on opposing sides of the vessel, respectively, allowing water to be discharged from the vessel without more than minimally altering the position of the vessel or disturbing floating debris in the body of water.

First and second adjustable-position flotation tanks may be positioned at least partially above the roof of the collection chamber, the first adjustable-position flotation tank being closer to the first side than the second side of the vessel the second adjustable-position flotation tank being closer to the second side than the first side of the vessel. Each flotation tank may be moveable up and down at least partially over and relative to the roof and collection chamber. The sloping roof may include first and second slanted sections sloping upwardly and inwardly from the first and second sides of the vessel, respectively. Each adjustable-position flotation tank may be independently moveable in an angled path up and down at least partially over and relative to the respective roof section associated therewith.

The present disclosure also includes embodiments of methods of autonomously collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on an unmanned, waterborne vessel deployable in the body of water. The vessel includes a single collection-separation chamber, and at least one circulation pump and debris pump both fluidly coupled to the collection-separation chamber. The circulation pump is configured to draw water and debris from the body of water into the collection-separation chamber and discharge water from the collection-separation chamber off the vessel. The debris pump is configured to discharge debris from the collection-separation chamber off the vessel. These methods include at least one internal sensor, disposed at least partially within the collection-separation chamber and communicably coupled to an electronic controller, gathering information about contents of the collection-separation chamber and communicates at least some such information to the controller. At least one external sensor, associated with the body of water and communicably coupled to the controller, gathers information about debris in the body of water and communicates at least some such information to the controller. Without human involvement, the electronic controller can turn on and off the circulation pump based at least partially upon information from the external sensor and turn on and off the debris pump based at least partially upon information from the internal sensor.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure involve waterborne vessels useful for autonomously collecting floating debris and water from a body of water and discharging water into the body of water. These vessels include at least one collection chamber fluidly coupled to the body of water by at least one intake opening. At least one water discharge pump, having an inlet fluidly coupled to the collection chamber, is configured to draw water and debris from the body of water, through the intake opening and into the collection chamber and discharge water from the collection chamber off the vessel. All water discharged off the vessel by the water discharge pump must pass through the water discharge pump inlet. At least one perforated suction diffuser is disposed at least partially between the intake opening and water discharge pump inlet. All water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass through the perforated suction diffuser and the velocity of water entering the water discharge pump inlet is reduced by the suction diffuser. At least one sensor is communicably coupled to the water discharge pump and configured to gather information about debris near or inside the vessel. The water discharge pump is automatically turned on and off based at least partially upon information gathered by the sensor.

If desired, the suction pressure of the water discharge pump may be distributed by the suction diffuser across an area greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet. The combined cross-sectional area of all perforations in the suction diffuser may be at least five times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet. The collection chamber may be a sunken collection chamber.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves systems for collecting and processing floating solid debris from a body of water on a vessel. The vessel has at least one chamber and at least one debris pump in fluid communication with and positioned at or proximate to the upper end of the at least one chamber. The system includes a debris recovery conveyor belt having first and second ends and extending from the vessel to the body of water during operations so that the first end thereof is at or under the surface of the body of water. A first debris processor is positioned closer to the second end than the first end of the conveyor belt so that the conveyor belt receives floating solid debris from the body of water and delivers it to the first debris processor, which fragments the solid debris into small debris pieces and delivers the small debris pieces into at least one chamber of the vessel. A second debris processor is positioned in or proximate to the at least one chamber of the vessel and receives small debris pieces from the at least one chamber and fragments at least some of it into even smaller debris pieces and delivers that to the at least one debris pump.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves systems for processing floating solid debris recovered from a body of water on a vessel. The vessel has at least one chamber and at least one intake opening fluidly coupled to the chamber(s) and through which water enters the chamber(s) from the body of water. At least one discharge port is fluidly coupled to the chamber(s) and through which at least some processed solid debris exits the chamber(s). The system includes a first debris processor disposed on the vessel between at least one intake opening and at least one discharge port and configured to fragment floating solid debris from the body of water into fragments. A second debris processor is disposed on the vessel between the first debris processor and at least one discharge port and configured to receive solid debris fragments fragmented by the first debris processor and re-fragment at least some of them into a size that is smaller than the fragmented size thereof and allow at least some of the re-fragmented solid debris to enter at least one discharge port.

The following features are optional. If desired, the first debris processor may be configured to discharge solid debris fragments fragmented thereby into at least one of chamber and the second debris processor may be configured to receive debris fragments fragmented by the first debris processor from the chamber(s). At least one chamber of the vessel may include an inflow chamber and the first debris processor may be positioned above or within the inflow chamber. The first debris processor may be configured to receive and fragment floating solid debris constructed at least partially of any among plastic, metal, glass, fabric other man-made materials, wood or a combination thereof. The second debris processor may be configured to reduce the solid debris fragments received thereby into finely ground particles. The first debris processor may include a heavy duty, large-capacity industrial shredder and the second debris processor may include a grinder.

These systems may include a debris pump having at least one inlet fluidly coupled to the discharge port(s) and the second debris processor may be configured to allow solid debris fragments re-fragmented thereby to enter at least one inlet of the debris pump. The vessel may include at least first and second chambers, the first chamber being an inflow chamber positioned proximate to the intake opening(s) and the second chamber being a main cargo compartment fluidly coupled between the inflow chamber and at least one discharge port. The first debris processor may be configured to fragment solid debris before it enters the main cargo compartment and the second debris processor may be configured to re-fragment solid debris fragments received thereby from the main cargo compartment and before solid debris fragments enter the discharge port(s). The main cargo compartment may have upper and lower ends, the first debris processor may be positioned on the vessel so that it fragments solid debris before it enters the main cargo compartment and the second debris processor may be positioned closer to the upper end than the lower end of the main cargo compartment.

These systems may be useful for collecting floating solid debris from the body of water and include a conveyor configured to extend from the vessel to the body of water and receive floating solid debris from the body of water and deliver it to the first debris processor. The conveyor may be elongated, have first and second ends and be positioned during floating solid debris collection operations so that the first end thereof extends at least partially over at least one chamber of the vessel and the second end thereof is positioned at or below the surface of the body of water. The first debris processor may be positioned closer to the first end than the second end of the conveyor. The first debris processor may be positioned at least partially below the conveyor so that at least some of the collected floating solid debris drops from the conveyor into the first debris processor. The conveyor may be at least partially porous and configured to allow floating solid debris having an outer dimension of up to one and one-half inches to filter therethrough and into at least one chamber of the vessel.

In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves systems for collecting and processing floating solid debris from a body of water on a vessel, the body of water having a surface and the vessel having at least one chamber, at least one intake opening fluidly coupled to the at least one chamber and through which water enters the at least one chamber from the body of water, at least one discharge port fluidly coupled to the at least one chamber and through which at least some processed solid debris exits the at least one chamber and a debris pump fluidly coupled to the at least one discharge port and useful to pump at least some processed solid debris from the at least one chamber. These systems include at least one conveyor having first and second ends and, during at least part of solid debris collection operations, is positioned so that the first end thereof extends at least partially over at least part of the vessel and the second end thereof is positioned proximate to the surface of the body of water. A first debris processor is disposed on the vessel proximate to the first end of the conveyor and at least one chamber of the vessel and a second debris processor is positioned between the first debris processor and debris pump.

The following features are optional. If desired, the conveyor may be configured to receive floating solid debris from the body of water proximate to its second end and convey it toward its first end. The second end of the conveyor may be positioned under the surface of the body of water during at least part of the solid debris collection operations. The first debris processor may include a shredder and the second debris processor may include a grinder. The first debris processor may be configured to be positioned within an inflow chamber. The first debris processor may be configured to receive solid debris from the conveyor and fragment at least some of the received solid debris into solid debris fragments, each solid debris fragment having a size that is smaller than the original size of the solid debris from which it was fragmented. The second debris processor may be configured to receive and re-fragment solid debris fragments fragmented by the first debris processor and allow the re-fragmented solid debris fragments to enter the debris pump.

The present disclosure also includes embodiments of methods of processing floating solid debris recovered from a body of water on a vessel having at least one chamber, at least one intake opening fluidly coupled to the chamber and through which water enters the chamber from the body of water. The vessel also includes at least one discharge port fluidly coupled to the chamber and through which processed solid debris exits the chamber. Aa debris pump is fluidly coupled to the discharge port and useful to pump processed solid debris out of the chamber. These method include a first debris processor, disposed on the vessel between the intake opening and debris pump, receiving solid debris that was floating in the body of water. The first debris processor fragments solid debris received thereby into solid debris fragments, each solid debris fragment having a respective size that is smaller than the original size of the solid debris from which it was fragmented. A second debris processor, disposed on the vessel between the first debris processor and the debris pump, receives solid debris fragments that were fragmented by the first debris processor and re-fragments at least some of them into a re-fragmented size that can be accepted and pumped by the debris pump. The second debris processor discharges the re-fragmented solid debris fragments. At least some of the re-fragmented solid debris enters the debris pump.

The following features are optional. The vessel may include a conveyor having first and second ends, the first end positioned to extend at least partially over part of the vessel and the second end of the conveyor positioned proximate to the surface of the body of water. The conveyor may receive floating solid debris from the body of water proximate to the second end thereof and convey floating solid debris received thereby toward the first end thereof and to the first debris processor. At least some of the solid debris on the conveyor may drop from the conveyor into the first debris processor. The first debris processor may allow at least some of the solid debris fragments fragmented thereby to be in at least one chamber of the vessel.

The conveyor may be at least partially perforated and allow at least some solid debris received thereby having an outer dimension up to the allowable solid debris size limit of the debris pump to filter therethrough and into at least one chamber of the vessel. The first debris processor may shred solid debris received thereby and the second debris processor may macerate and grinds fragmented solid debris received thereby. The first debris processor may receive and fragment floating solid debris constructed at least partially of any among plastic, metal, glass, fabric, other man-made materials, wood or a combination thereof, and the second debris processor may fragment solid debris fragments received thereby into finely ground particles.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure involves a system for collecting floating debris from a body of water with the use of at least one vessel. The vessel includes at least one ingestion head positionable at or proximate to the surface of the body of water. The ingestion head includes at least one intake opening and at least one exit port fluidly coupled together and a vacuum cavity surrounding the exit port(s) so that the exit port(s) can be maintained submerged in liquid throughout debris recovery operations. A fluid removal system is separate and distinct from the ingestion head and connected thereto only by one or more fluid suction conduits extending therebetween and fluidly coupled to the exit port(s) of the ingestion head. The fluid removal system includes at least one circulation pump fluidly coupled to the fluid suction conduit(s) and is configured to draw debris and water into the ingestion head. The fluid removal system provides a liquid-sealed system extending between the circulation pump(s) and the port(s) of the ingestion head.

The following features are optional. If desired, the ingestion head may include a plurality of intake openings positioned proximate to one another around the perimeter of the ingestion head and a plurality of IFRs, at least one IFR extending at least partially across each intake opening. At least IFR may be a variable buoyancy IFR. At least four IFRs may be included. The intake openings may be positioned around the perimeter of the ingestion head to ingest floating debris and water into the ingestion head from the body of water from any direction without moving the ingestion head. The ingestion head may be movable relative to the fluid removal system. The ingestion head may be moveable between at least one underground stowed position and at least one operating position at or proximate to the surface of the body of water.

The ingestion head may include an inflow chamber extending between and fluidly coupled to the at least one intake opening and the at least one exit port, the inflow chamber having a bottom surface and an inner vacuum cavity wall extending upwardly therefrom and surrounding the at least one exit port. At least one inflow chamber cover may extend over the inflow chamber and at least one exit port and have an outer vacuum cavity wall extending downwardly therefrom and around the inner vacuum cavity wall, the inflow chamber cover forming the vacuum cavity. The upper end of the inner vacuum cavity wall may be spaced downwardly from the inflow chamber cover and remain submerged in water during debris collection operations and the lower end of the outer vacuum cavity wall may be spaced downwardly from the upper end of the inner vacuum cavity and upwardly from the bottom of the inflow chamber. The space between the lower end of the outer vacuum cavity wall and the bottom of the inflow chamber may remain submerged in water during debris collection operations, whereby debris drawn into the ingestion head must pass below the outer vacuum cavity wall and over the inner vacuum cavity wall before entering the exit port(s) and remain submerged during such travel. The circulation pump(s) may concurrently draw debris and water into the ingestion head and discharge such water from the fluid removal system.

If desired, a debris separation system fluidly coupled to the fluid removal system and remote from the ingestion head may be provided, whereby the water discharged from the fluid removal system has a hydrocarbon concentration of less than 5.0 PPM. A plurality of ingestion heads may be included, each ingestion head being connected to the fluid removal system only by one or more fluid suction conduits and the fluid removal system may be at least partially disposed on a vessel or be land-based.

In many embodiments, a system for collecting floating debris from a body of water includes an ingestion head positionable at or proximate to the surface of the body of water. The ingestion head includes one or more intake openings extending around the perimeter thereof to allow floating debris and water to be drawn into the ingestion head from the surface of the body of water from any direction without moving the ingestion head. A fluid removal system may be separate and distinct from the ingestion head and connected thereto only by one or more fluid suction conduits extending therebetween. The ingestion head may be movable relative to the fluid removal system and debris and water may be drawn into the ingestion head by suction provided by the fluid removal system through the at least one fluid suction conduit. If desired, the ingestion head may include at least one exit port fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid suction conduit. The fluid removal system may include at least one circulation pump fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid suction conduit and configured to draw debris and water into the ingestion head. The fluid removal system may provide a liquid-sealed system extending between the at least one circulation pump and the at least one port of the ingestion head.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves a method of collecting floating debris from a body of water. These exemplary methods include positioning an ingestion head at or proximate to the surface of the body of water, the ingestion head including at least one intake opening and at least one exit port fluidly coupled together; connecting a fluid removal system to the ingestion head only by one or more fluid suction conduits; at least one circulation pump of the fluid removal system fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid suction conduit and drawing debris and water into the ingestion head, through the at least one fluid suction conduit and into a vacuum-sealed collection chamber; the fluid removal system providing a liquid-sealed system extending between the at least one circulation pump and the port of the ingestion head; and the at least one circulation pump discharging water from the collection chamber.

These exemplary methods may further include any combination of the following optional features, The ingestion head may move across the body of water relative to the fluid removal system. The circulation pump may concurrently drawing debris and water into the ingestion head and discharge water from the collection chamber. The ingestion head may move between at least one underground stowed position and at least one operating position at, or proximate to, the surface of the body of water. If desired, the ingestion head may include a plurality of intake openings positioned proximate to one at different locations around the perimeter thereof and floating debris and water may be drawn into the ingestion head from the body of water from any direction without moving the ingestion head.

In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus, systems and methods for collecting debris floating on an onshore or offshore body of water or other area (tank farm, earthen cavity, crater, etc.) and involve the use of at least one ingestion head configured to be positioned in the body of water to ingest debris from the body of water. Each ingestion head including at least one inflow regulatory (“IFR”) and is remote from and fluidly coupled to at least one collection system configured to store and/or process debris recovered through the ingestion head. In some applications, any of the debris collection vessels summarized and described below may serve as the collection system. Furthermore, these embodiments can include any components and features of the debris collection vessels summarized and described below and vice versa.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves methods of collecting debris from a body of water on a vessel. The vessel includes at least one cargo compartment and at least one intake opening fluidly coupling the at least one cargo compartment and the body of water during debris collection operations. At least one suction pump fluidly coupled to at least one cargo compartment concurrently draws water and debris from the body of water into the at least one cargo compartment and removes water from the cargo compartment(s). Concurrently therewith, at least one debris pump, distinct from the circulation pump(s), removes debris from the cargo compartment(s).

The following features are optional. If desired, any one or more, or none, of the following features may be included. One or more circulation pumps may remove water from one or more cargo compartments at or proximate to the lower end thereof and/or one or more debris pumps may remove debris from one or more cargo compartments at or proximate to the upper end thereof. The circulation pump(s) may be selectively controlled to vary the volume of water removed from at least one cargo compartment and/or the debris pump(s) may be selectively controlled to vary the volume of debris removed from at least one cargo compartment.

At least one inflow chamber may be disposed on the vessel between the cargo compartment(s) and intake opening(s). The inflow chamber(s) may be at least partially separated from the compartment(s) by at least one wall and fluidly coupled thereto by at least one passageway. At least one IFR at least partially free-floating at or near the surface of liquid in at least one inflow chamber may limit the water and debris drawn from the body of water into the cargo compartment(s) to primarily debris and water that passes over the at least one IFR. At least one circulation pump may lower the liquid level in at least one inflow chamber between the IFR(s) and passageway(s) to a height lower than the liquid level therein between the IFR(s) and the intake opening(s) during debris collection operations.

A variable buoyancy system associated with at least one IFR may be selectively actuated to adjust the height thereof in the inflow chamber(s). First and second variable buoyancy IFRs may be disposed in the same inflow chamber, the second variable buoyancy IFR being positioned between the first variable buoyancy IFR and the cargo compartment(s). The first variable buoyancy IFR may primarily reduce wave action and/or turbulence in the water and debris moving through the inflow chamber(s) from the intake opening(s) to the cargo compartment(s), and/or the second variable buoyancy IFR may primarily cause mostly debris to enter the cargo compartment(s) during debris collection operations. The first variable buoyancy IFR may be selectively actuated to de-ballast it higher in the inflow chamber(s) than the second variable buoyancy IFR when there is an increase in water turbulence and/or wave action in the body of water proximate to the intake opening(s). The second variable buoyancy IFR may be selectively actuated to de-ballast it higher in the inflow chamber(s) than the first variable buoyancy IFR when debris in the body of water is a sheen and/or decreases in thickness proximate to the intake opening(s). The second variable buoyancy IFR may be selectively actuated to ballast it lower in the inflow chamber(s) than the first variable buoyancy IFR when debris in the body of water is thicker than a sheen and/or increases in thickness proximate to the intake opening(s).

A vacuum may be created above the surface of the contents of at least one cargo compartment and maintained during debris collection operations. The cargo compartment(s) may be maintained completely full of water and/or debris during collection operations. The vessel may include at least one trunk fluidly coupled to at least one cargo compartment at or above the upper end thereof and the debris pump(s) fluidly coupled to at least one trunk. Debris may be allowed to rise into at least one trunk from at least one cargo compartment and at least one debris pump may remove debris from the cargo compartment(s) through the trunk(s). The debris pump(s) may be selectively temporarily turned off when the level of debris in the trunk(s) is at or below a particular height. At least one sensor may be disposed at least partially within at least one cargo compartment and/or at least one trunk and indicate the height of water in the cargo compartment(s) and/or trunk(s), respectively.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves systems useful for collecting debris from a body of water on a vessel. The vessel includes at least one cargo compartment and at least one intake opening fluidly coupling the cargo compartment(s) and body of water during debris collection operations. At least one circulation pump may be fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment(s) and have sufficient pumping capacity both when the vessel is moving and stationary to concurrently (i) draw water and debris from the body of water into the cargo compartment(s) and (ii) remove water from the cargo compartment(s). At least one debris pump that is distinct from the circulation pump(s) is fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment(s) and selectively controllable to remove debris from the cargo compartment(s) concurrently with (i) and (ii) above.

If desired, any one or more, or none, of the following optional features may be included. At least one circulation pump may be fluidly coupled to at least one cargo compartment closer to the lower end than the upper end thereof and the at least one debris pump may be fluidly coupled to at least one cargo compartment closer to the upper end than the lower end thereof. The circulation pump(s) may be selectively controllable to vary the volume of water removed from the cargo compartment(s) and the debris pump(s) may be selectively controllable to vary the volume of debris removed from the cargo compartment(s).

At least one inflow chamber may be disposed on the vessel between the cargo compartment(s) and intake opening(s) and at least partially separated from the at least one cargo compartment by at least one wall and fluidly coupled thereto by at least one passageway. At least one IFR may be at least partially free-floating at or near the surface of liquid in at least one inflow chamber. At least one circulation pump may be configured to lower the liquid level in at least one inflow chamber between the IFR(s) and passageway(s) to a height below the liquid level in the inflow chamber(s) between the IFR(s) and intake opening(s) during debris collection operations. First and second variable buoyancy IFRs disposed in the same inflow chamber, the second variable buoyancy IFR being positioned between the first variable buoyancy IFR and the cargo compartment(s).

A variable buoyancy system may be associated with at least one IFR, the variable buoyancy system being configured to (i) allow air to escape from the at least one IFR and be replaced with liquid to decrease the buoyancy thereof and (ii) provide air into the at least one IFR and force liquid out of the at least one IFR to increase the buoyancy thereof.

At least one trunk may be fluidly coupled to at least one cargo compartment at or above the upper end thereof. The debris pump(s) may be fluidly coupled to at least one trunk and configured to remove debris from at least one cargo compartment through at least one trunk. At least one sensor disposed at least partially within at least one cargo compartment and/or at least one trunk and configured to indicate the height of water therein, respectively.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves methods of collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on a vessel moveable in the body of water. The vessel has at least one inflow chamber distinct from a main collection compartment and fluidly coupled thereto by at least one passageway. The main collection compartment has a length, width, height and upper and lower ends. The vessel also includes at least one intake opening fluidly coupling the inflow chamber(s) and the body of water and through which water and floating debris can enter the at least one inflow chamber and vessel from the body of water. At least one water removal outlet and at least one debris removal outlet (distinct from the water removal outlet(s)) are fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment. The passageway(s) and water removal outlet(s) are fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment closer to the lower end than the upper end of the main collection compartment and the debris removal outlet(s) are fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment closer to the upper end than the lower end of the main collection compartment. These methods include filling the main collection compartment with liquid to a fill height above the passageway(s) and water removal outlet(s) and thereafter, concurrently drawing floating debris and water from the inflow chamber(s) through the submersed passageway(s) and into the main collection compartment during collection operations. At least one IFR at least partially floats in the inflow chamber(s) and reduces wave action and/or turbulence in the floating debris and water passing through the inflow chamber(s) to the main collection compartment during collection operations. Floating debris in the main collection compartment is allowed to rise above the at least one debris removal outlet and the water in the main collection compartment, removing water from the main collection compartment through the water removal outlet(s) and discharged to the body of water. Floating debris is allowed to be removed from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s) and directed to one or more debris delivery destinations.

If desired, any of the following optional features may be included. These methods may include minimizing emulsification of water and debris in the main collection compartment during collection and separation operations. At least initially, the main collection compartment may be filled with primarily water from the body of water to a fill height above the at least one debris removal outlet and all or substantially all air may be evacuated from the main collection compartment above the surface of the contents therein. If desired, initially, the main collection compartment may be completely filled with primarily water from the body of water and, thereafter, maintained completely full of water and/or debris during collection operations. Floating debris and little, or no, water may be caused to enter the main collection compartment during collection operations. A vacuum may be created above the surface of the contents of the main collection compartment. The vessel may include at least one trunk having at least one elongated, upwardly extending void fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment at or above the upper end thereof, the void(s) having a width that is smaller than the length and width of the main collection compartment. Water and/or floating debris may be allowed to completely fill the main collection compartment and extend up into at least one void of the trunk(s) during collection operations. The debris removal outlet(s) may be fluidly coupled to the void(s) and floating debris may be allowed to float to the upper end of the main collection compartment and into the trunk(s) and be removed therefrom through the debris removal outlet(s) and directed to one or more debris delivery destinations.

These methods may include at least substantially preventing the entry of air into the main collection compartment during collection and separation operations. The drawing floating debris and water from the inflow chamber(s) into the main collection compartment may be ceased and at least one IFR allowed to extend at least partially above the surface of the contents of the at least one inflow chamber to prevent floating debris from backing out of the inflow chamber(s) through the intake opening to the body of water. One or more IFRs may be disposed on the vessel at a height above the location of the passageway(s) and limit the floating debris and water that enters the main collection compartment during collection operations to primarily floating debris and water that passes over the at least one IFR. The passageway(s) may have a width or diameter that is less than approximately ten percent (10%) the height of the main collection compartment and be disposed at or proximate to the bottom of the main collection compartment and primarily floating debris and some water may be drawn over the at least one IFR, down in the inflow chamber(s), through the passageway(s) and into the main collection compartment during collection operations.

A second IFR may be disposed in the inflow chamber(s) between a first IFR and the main collection compartment. The first IFR may primarily reduce wave action and turbulence in water and floating debris moving through the inflow chamber(s) and the second IFR may primarily cause mostly floating debris to enter the main collection compartment during collection operations. At least one IFR may be a variable buoyancy IFR and at least one variable buoyancy IFR may be actuated during collection operations to vary the buoyancy thereof and its reducing water turbulence in the floating debris and water moving through the inflow chamber(s) and into the main collection compartment. If desired, at least one variable buoyancy IFR may be selectively actuated during collection operations to vary the buoyancy thereof and its ability to cause mostly floating debris to enter the main collection compartment during collection operations. A second IFR may be disposed in the inflow chamber(s) between a first IFR and the main collection compartment, both IFRs being variable buoyancy IFRs. The second IFR may be actuated during collection operations to ballast it lower in the inflow chamber(s) than the first IFR when the floating debris on the surface of the body of water is a sheen and/or decreases in thickness proximate to the intake opening(s) to assist in increasing the volume and cascading movement of floating debris passing by the second IFR into the main collection compartment. The first IFR may be selectively actuated to ballast it higher in the inflow chamber(s) than the second IFR during collection operations when at least one among the speed of the vessel in the body of water or the water turbulence and/or wave action in the body of water proximate to the intake opening(s) increases.

If desired, at least one circulation pump may draw water and floating debris from the inflow chamber(s), through the passageway and into main collection compartment. The circulation pump(s) may concurrently (i) draw water and floating debris from the body of water into the inflow chamber(s) and main collection compartment and (ii) remove water and little or no debris from the main collection compartment through the water removal outlet(s) and discharge it to the body of water during collection and separation operations. The circulation pump(s) may lower the liquid level in the inflow chamber(s) between the passageway(s) and the IFR(s) to assist in increasing at least one among the cascading movement, volume and rate of floating debris drawn over the IFR(s) and into the main collection compartment. At least one debris pump, distinct from the circulation pump(s) may remove floating debris and little or no water from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s) and directing it to one or more debris delivery destinations during collection and separation operations. The debris pump(s) may remove floating debris and little or no water from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s) and direct it to one or more debris delivery destinations concurrently with the circulation pump(s) concurrently (i) drawing water and floating debris from the body of water into the inflow chamber(s) and main collection compartment and (ii) removing water and little or no floating debris from the main collection compartment through the water removal outlet(s) and discharging it to the body of water during collection and separation operations regardless of whether the vessel is moving.

At least one IFR may be a variable buoyancy IFR and the speed of the vessel in the body of water may be selectively varied, and/or the circulation pump(s) may be selectively actuated and/or at least one variable buoyancy IFR may be selectively actuated to assist in (a) varying the buoyancy thereof in real-time on an ongoing basis as needed during collection operations in response to one or more changes in wind, rain, wave action, turbulence or other sea conditions in or above the body of water, the type, density and/or viscosity of liquid in the body of water or main collection compartment, the thickness, size, composition and/or depth of floating debris in the body of water or main collection compartment, or a combination thereof, and/or (b) changing at least one among the volume, rate and ratio of floating debris and water entering the main collection compartment, (c) optimizing the intake resistance of at least one IFR, (d) optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of debris collection, (e) enhancing the separation of floating debris and water on the vessel, or a combination thereof.

If desired, at least one debris pump, distinct from the circulation pump(s) may be used to remove floating debris and little or no water from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s) and direct it to one or more debris delivery destinations during collection and separation operations. The debris pump(s) may be selectively actuated to vary the volume of floating debris removed from the main collection compartment. The suction of the circulation pumps and/or speed of the vessel in the body of water may be increased during collection operations when the floating debris on the surface of the body of water is thicker than a sheen and/or increases in thickness proximate to the intake opening(s) in order to assist in increasing the volume and/or rate of floating debris entering the main collection compartment. At least one IFR may be de-ballasted during collection operations when at least one among the (i) speed of the vessel in the body of water, (ii) suction of the circulation pump(s) and (iii) wave action and/or turbulence in the body of water proximate to the intake opening(s) increases.

At least one IFR may include at least one buoyant portion that free-floats at or near the surface of liquid in the inflow chamber(s). The buoyant portion(s) of IFR(s) may be lowered relative to the surface of liquid in the inflow chamber(s) during collection operations when (i) the vessel is not moving or slowed, (ii) there is a reduction in, or little or no, wave action and/or water turbulence in the body of water, (iii) the floating debris on the surface of the body of water is thicker than a sheen and/or increases in thickness proximate to the intake opening(s), or a combination thereof. The suction of the circulation pump(s) and/or the height of the buoyant portion(s) of at least one IFR in the inflow chamber(s) may be varied during collection operations to assist in (i) increasing the ratio of floating debris to water entering the main collection compartment, (ii) increasing the volume and cascading movement of floating debris passing by the IFR(s) into the main collection compartment, (iii) optimizing the intake resistance of at least one IFR, (iv) optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of debris collection, (v) enhancing the separation of floating debris and water on the vessel, or a combination thereof. The height of the buoyant portion(s) of at least one IFR may be increased in the inflow chamber(s) during collection operations when at least one among (i) the speed of the vessel in the body of water and/or the water turbulence and/or wave action in the body of water proximate to the intake opening(s) increases and/or (ii) the floating debris on the surface of in the body of water is a sheen or decreases in thickness proximate to the intake opening(s).

If desired, a second IFR may be disposed in the inflow chamber(s) between a first IFR and the main collection compartment, both IFRs being variable buoyancy IFRs. The second IFR may be ballasted higher in the inflow chamber(s) than the first IFR during collection operations when the floating debris on the surface of the body of water is thicker than a sheen or increases in thickness proximate to the intake opening(s). When the vessel is moving in the body of water during collection operations, the suction of at least one circulation pump may be increased to a volume that is at least slightly greater than the volume of water and/or floating debris entering the intake opening(s) to reduce or eliminate the existence or effect of head waves at the intake opening(s). One or more circulation pumps may be disposed in at least one suction chamber that is distinct from the inflow chamber(s) and the main collection compartment and fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment by the at least one water removal outlet. At least one suction chamber vent may be fluidly coupled to the suction chamber(s) proximate to the upper end thereof and opened during initial filling of the main collection compartment with liquid to at least partially vent the suction chamber(s) of gases and allow liquid to enter the suction chamber sufficient to submerse the water removal outlet(s) in liquid and provide a liquid-only interface between the suction chamber(s) and main collection compartment, to allow minimal or no gases to enter the main collection compartment from the at least one suction chamber.

In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves systems for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on a vessel moveable in the body of water and which include a main collection compartment disposed on the vessel and having a length, width, height and upper and lower ends. At least one water removal outlet is fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment closer to the lower end than the upper end of the main collection compartment. At least one debris removal outlet, distinct from the at least one water removal outlet(s), is fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment closer to the upper end than the lower end of the main collection compartment. At least one inflow chamber is disposed on the vessel and at least partially separated from the main collection compartment and fluidly coupled thereto by at least one passageway. The at least one passageway is disposed closer to the lower end than the upper end of the main collection compartment. At least one intake opening is fluidly coupling the at least one inflow chamber and the body of water, whereby water and floating debris can enter the vessel from the body of water through the at least one intake opening and into the at least one inflow chamber. At least one circulation pump is fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment by the at least one water removal outlet. The circulation pump(s) are selectively controllable during collection operations to draw water and floating debris from the at least one inflow chamber, through the at least one passageway and into the main collection compartment and vary at least one among the volume, rate and ratio of water and floating debris drawn into the main collection compartment. At least first and second IFRs are at least partially floating in the same inflow chamber. The second IFR is disposed between the first IFR and the main collection compartment.

The following features are optional. If desired, at least one IFR may be a variable buoyancy IFR that is selectively controllable during collection operations to vary the buoyancy thereof in at least one inflow chamber. A variable buoyancy system may be associated with one or more variable buoyancy IFRs and is selectively controllable during debris collection operations to allow air to escape from the variable buoyancy IFR(s) and be replaced with liquid to decrease the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy IFR(s), and provide air into the variable buoyancy IFR(s) and force liquid out of the variable buoyancy IFR(s) to increase the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy IFR(s). The first and second IFRs may be pivoting-type, variable buoyancy IFRs, each disposed on the vessel at a height above the location of the at least one passageway. At least one IFR may be configured to principally limit the floating debris and water that enters the main collection compartment from the at least one inflow chamber to primarily floating debris and water that passes over the at least one IFR and thereafter moves down in the at least one inflow chamber and into the at least one passageway. The passageway(s) may have a width or diameter that is less than approximately ten percent (10%) the height of the main collection compartment and be disposed at or proximate to the bottom of the main collection compartment. During collection operations, the at least one passageway and the at least one water removal outlet may be configured to be submersed in liquid to provide a liquid seal of the main collection compartment below the surface of the contents thereof and allow minimal or no gases to enter the main collection compartment from below the surface of the contents thereof (e.g., to support a liquid-sealed system, such as defined below).

A trunk having at least one elongated, upwardly extending void may be fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment at or above the upper end of the main collection compartment. The void(s) may have a width that is smaller than the length and width of the main collection compartment. The debris removal outlet(s) may be fluidly coupled to the void(s) and the main collection compartment may be completely filled with water and/or floating debris. During debris collection operations, floating debris at the upper end of the main collection compartment may be able to pass into the trunk(s) and thereafter removed through the debris removal outlet(s). A debris pump that is distinct from the circulation pump(s) and fluidly coupled between the debris removal outlet(s) and one or more debris delivery destinations may be included. The debris pump(s) may be selectively controllable during collection and separation operations to vary the volume of floating debris removed from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s).

The circulation pump(s) may be disposed on the vessel in at least one suction chamber that is distinct from the inflow chamber(s) and the main collection compartment and fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment by at least one water removal outlet. The water removal outlet(s) may be disposed proximate to the lower end of the main collection compartment and submersed in water during collection operations. At least one gate may be associated with the passageway(s) and/or water removal outlet(s). The gate(s) may be selectively controlled to block the passageway(s) and/or water removal outlet(s) and fluidly isolate the main collection compartment from the inflow chamber(s) and/or water removal outlet(s).

At least one inflow chamber cover may extend at least partially over at least one inflow chamber on the vessel and be at least partially transparent, see-through or perforated and/or strong enough to support large-sized debris placed thereupon. At least one front door may be disposed on the vessel and selectively controllable to close off or block the intake opening(s). At least one large-sized debris guard may be provided on the vessel proximate to the intake opening(s) to assist in preventing large-sized debris from entering into the inflow chamber(s).

In the present disclosure, there are also embodiments of systems for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on a vessel moveable in the body of water. These systems include a main collection compartment disposed on the vessel and having a length, width, height and upper and lower ends. At least one inflow chamber is disposed on the vessel and is distinct from the main collection compartment and fluidly coupled thereto by at least one passageway. At least one intake opening fluidly couples the inflow chamber(s) and the body of water, whereby water and floating debris can enter the vessel from the body of water through the intake opening(s) and into the inflow chamber(s). At least one circulation pump is disposed on the vessel and fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment. The circulation pump(s) are selectively controllable during collection operations to draw floating debris and water from the inflow chamber(s) through the passageway(s) and into the main collection compartment. At least one trunk has at least one elongated, upwardly extending void fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment at or above the upper end thereof. During debris collection operations, floating debris at the upper end of the main collection compartment can pass into the trunk to allow the main collection compartment to be completely filled with water and/or floating debris. At least one debris removal outlet through which floating debris can be removed from the main collection compartment is also included. The debris removal outlet(s) are fluidly coupled to the trunk(s), whereby floating debris at the upper end of the main collection compartment will pass at least partially through the trunk(s) as it is removed through the debris removal outlet(s). At least one IFR at least partially floats in the inflow chamber(s).

The following features are optional. If desired, at least one wave diminishing surface may be disposed on the vessel between the IFR(s) and the body of water, slant downwardly away from the vessel and towards the body of water and be configured to assist in dampening or reducing the impact, size and/or action of waves and turbulence of water and debris entering the intake opening(s). The circulation pump may be disposed on the vessel in at least one suction chamber having upper and lower ends and being distinct from the main collection compartment and inflow chamber(s). The suction chamber(s) may be fluidly coupled to the main collection compartment by at least one water removal outlet, the water removal outlet(s) being submersed in water during collection operations. A suction chamber vent may be disposed proximate to the upper end of the suction chamber(s) and configured to allow the suction chamber(s) to be selectively at least partially vented of gases. At least one flooding port may be fluidly coupled between the main collection compartment and body of water and configured to allow the main collection compartment to be at least partially filled with liquid from the body of water. At least one submersible fluid pump may be fluidly coupled to at least one flooding port and selectively actuated to completely fill the main collection compartment with liquid from the body of water. At least one air discharge vent may be disposed at or proximate to the upper end of, and fluidly coupled to, the main collection compartment and be configured to selectively allow gases to be evacuated from the main collection compartment. At least one vacuum pump may be fluidly coupled to at least one air discharge vent(s) and selectively controllable to remove gases from the main collection compartment.

If desired, at least one sensor may be disposed at least partially within the main collection compartment and configured to indicate whether debris is at a particular height in the main collection compartment. At least a first sensor may be disposed inside the main collection compartment above the passageway(s) and water removal outlet(s) to indicate when debris should be removed from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s) and assist in avoiding more than minimal debris being sucked into the circulation pump(s). At least a second sensor may be disposed on the vessel below the debris removal outlet(s) to indicate when debris should not be removed from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s) and assist in avoiding more than minimal water being removed from the main collection compartment through the debris removal outlet(s).

In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves a system useful for collecting debris and water from a body of water at or near the surface of the body of water onto a waterborne vessel, separating the collected debris from water on the vessel and separately off-loading the collected debris and water from the vessel. At least one intake opening is provided in the vessel at or near the front of the vessel and in fluid communication with at least a first area inside the vessel. At least one variable buoyancy IFR is disposed in the first area on the vessel aft of the intake opening and configured to at least partially float in liquid inside the first area. The IFR includes at least one variable buoyancy chamber and may be selectively actuated to vary its buoyancy by introducing air into or allowing air to escape from the buoyancy chamber. At least one circulation pump is disposed on the vessel and fluidly coupled to the first area. The circulation pump may be selectively actuated to draw debris and water from the body of water, through the intake opening into the first area and over the IFR and discharge recovered water to the body of water. At least one debris pump is fluidly coupled to the first area and configured to remove recovered debris from the vessel and offload it to at least one destination off the vessel.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus, methods and systems useful for collecting debris (and some water) from a body of water at or near the surface of the body of water onto a waterborne vessel. The vessel has front and rear ends and is positionable at or near the surface of the body of water. The vessel includes at least a first cargo compartment in fluid communication with the body of water and configured to contain water and debris. At least one bulkhead is disposed on the vessel between the first cargo compartment and the front end of the vessel. At least one intake opening is disposed adjacent to or formed in the bulkhead(s) and fluidly couples the first cargo compartment and the body of water. At least a first, at least partially buoyant, IFR is disposed at least partially in the first cargo compartment proximate to the intake opening(s). The IFR has a front end and a rear end and extends at least partially across the width of the first cargo compartment. The IFR is sufficiently buoyant so that when the first cargo compartment at least partially contains water, the front end thereof floats at or near the surface of the water in the first cargo compartment and limits the inflow of debris (and some) water from the body of water into the first cargo compartment to debris and water disposed at or near the surface of the body of water and which flows over the IFR during use of the system. At least one suction conduit is disposed on the vessel and fluidly coupled to the first cargo compartment. At least one circulation pump is disposed on the vessel and fluidly coupled to at least one suction conduit. When one or more circulation pumps are actuated during use of the system, it/they will create suction in at least one suction conduit to concurrently (i) draw debris and water from the body of water through the intake opening(s) over at least one IFR into the first cargo compartment and (ii) draw water from the first cargo compartment into at least one suction conduit.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a system useful for collecting debris from a body of water on a vessel moveable in the body of water. The vessel includes at least one cargo compartment and at least one intake opening fluidly coupling the at least one cargo compartment with the body of water during debris collection operations. The system includes at least one circulation pump having sufficient pumping capacity both when the vessel is moving and stationary to concurrently (i) draw water and debris from the body of water, through the at least one intake opening and into the at least one cargo compartment and (ii) remove water and little or no debris from the at least one cargo compartment. At least one IFR can at least partially free-float at or near the surface of liquid in the vessel and limit the water and debris drawn from the body of water into the at least one cargo compartment to primarily debris and water that passes over the at least one buoyant portion during debris collection operations. The at least one IFR can also be selectively actuated to adjust the height of at least a portion thereof relative to the surface of liquid in the vessel during debris collection operations.

In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves methods of collecting debris from a body of water onto a vessel moveable in the body of water and having at least one intake opening fluidly coupling at least one cargo compartment of the vessel with the body of water. At least one circulation pump on the vessel is selectively actuatable, both when the vessel is moving and stationary, to concurrently (i) draw water and debris from the body of water, through the at least one intake opening and into the at least one cargo compartment and (ii) remove water and little or no debris from the at least one cargo compartment. At least one buoyant portion of at least one IFR on the vessel free-floats at or near the surface of liquid in the vessel. The at least one IFR limits the water and debris drawn from the body of water into the cargo compartment to primarily debris and water that passes over the at least one buoyant portion of the at least one IFR during debris collection operations. The at least one IFR is selectively actuatable to adjust the height of the at least one buoyant portion thereof relative to the surface of liquid in the vessel during debris collection operations.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves an oil recovery vessel useful for collecting oil floating in a body of water in an oil spill area at or near the surface of the body of water. The vessel includes a plurality of distinct cargo compartments positioned adjacent to one another along at least part of the length of the vessel and arranged and adapted to contain sea water and oil. A front the cargo compartment is disposed closest to the front of the vessel and a rear the cargo compartment is disposed closest to the rear of the vessel. The front cargo compartment is separated from the front end of the vessel by at least one front vertical wall. Each adjacent pair of cargo compartments is separated by at least one other vertical wall. Each vertical wall includes at least one opening formed therein proximate to the upper end thereof. Each opening is arranged and adapted to allow the flow of liquid through the associated vertical wall and into the adjacent cargo compartment aft of the vertical wall.

These embodiments include a plurality of gates. Each gate allows and disallows liquid flow through at least one of the openings. Each gate is selectively movable between at least one open and at least one closed position. At least one suction conduit is fluidly coupled to each cargo compartment to concurrently allow water to be removed from, and oil to enter, any of them. The vessel also includes at least one at least partially floating, elongated, boom disposed proximate to the front of the vessel. Each boom is arranged and adapted to encourage oil to flow into the front cargo compartment from the body of water.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves a system for collecting oil on a waterborne vessel from an oil spill area at or near the surface of a body of water. The system includes at least three successively fluidly coupled cargo compartments configured to initially hold sea water and thereafter hold oil. A front cargo compartment is disposed closest to the front of the vessel and a rear cargo compartment is disposed closest to the rear of the vessel. At least one intermediate cargo compartment is disposed between the front and rear cargo compartments.

The system of these embodiments also includes a plurality of (e.g., fluid) passageways. At least a first passageway fluidly couples the front cargo compartment to the body of water and is configured to allow the flow of liquid into the front cargo compartment from the body of water. At least a second passageway fluidly couples the front and the forward-most intermediate cargo compartment and is configured to allow the flow of liquid from the front cargo compartment into the forward-most intermediate cargo compartment. If there is more than one intermediate cargo compartment, at least a third passageway fluidly couples each pair of successively fluidly coupled intermediate cargo compartments in the direction of the rear end of the vessel and is configured to allow liquid flow from the forward-most of each such pair of intermediate cargo compartments to the aft-most of each such pair of intermediate cargo compartments. At least one other passageway fluidly couples the aft-most intermediate cargo compartment and the rear cargo compartment to allow liquid flow into the rear cargo compartment from the aft-most intermediate cargo compartment.

The system of these embodiments also includes at least one suction conduit fluidly coupled to each cargo compartment and configured to allow each cargo compartment to be concurrently at least substantially emptied of sea water and at least substantially filled with oil, starting with the rear cargo compartment. At least one circulation pump is fluidly coupled to the suction conduit(s) and arranged and adapted to concurrently draw sea water out of each cargo compartment through the suction conduit(s) and draw oil into that cargo compartment through at least one associated passageway until that cargo compartment is substantially full of oil, starting with the rear cargo compartment and ending with the front cargo compartment.

There are embodiments of the present disclosure that involve a method of collecting oil on a waterborne vessel from an oil spill area at or near the surface of a body of water. At least three fluidly interconnected cargo compartments on the vessel are at least substantially filled with sea water. A front cargo compartment is disposed closest to the front end of the vessel, a rear cargo compartment is disposed closest to the rear end of the vessel and at least one intermediate cargo compartment is disposed between the front and rear cargo compartments. The front end of the vessel is positioned in or adjacent to the oil spill area. At least a first passageway allows oil and some sea water to enter the front cargo compartment proximate to the upper end thereof from the body of water. Additional passageways allow oil and some sea water to pass from the front cargo compartment into each successively fluidly coupled cargo compartment proximate to the upper end thereof (in the direction of the rear end of the vessel), respectively. At least one circulation pump concurrently pumps sea water out of the rear cargo compartment through at least one suction conduit and allows oil and some sea water to enter the rear cargo compartment from the aft-most intermediate cargo compartment.

After the rear cargo compartment is substantially filled with oil, the rear cargo compartment is fluidly isolated from the other cargo compartments. At least one circulation pump concurrently pumps sea water out of the aft-most intermediate cargo compartment through at least one suction conduit and allows oil and some sea water to enter the aft-most intermediate cargo compartment from the cargo compartment fluidly coupled thereto on its forward side. After the aft-most intermediate cargo compartment is substantially filled with oil, the aft-most intermediate cargo compartment is fluidly isolated from the other substantially water filled cargo compartments. These acts are repeated for any additional intermediate cargo compartments and then the front cargo compartment. After the front cargo compartment is substantially filled with oil, it is fluidly isolated from the body of water.

Accordingly, the present disclosure includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance debris recovery technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are part of the present specification, included to demonstrate certain aspects of various embodiments of this disclosure and referenced in the detailed description herein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary waterborne debris recovery vessel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 with the side shell removed to show exemplary interior cargo compartments and other components during exemplary debris recovery operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of part of the front end of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a view facing an exemplary vertical wall disposed between cargo compartments of the embodiment of FIG. 1 from inside one of the cargo compartments (facing rearwards) and showing an exemplary associated gate in a fully open position;

FIG. 5 shows the exemplary vertical wall of FIG. 4 with the exemplary gate in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary vertical wall and gate of FIG. 4 taken along lines 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary vertical wall and gate of FIG. 5 taken along lines 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a front view of part of an exemplary gate of the present disclosure showing an alternate embodiment of a gate actuator;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an exemplary wave dampener within an exemplary cargo compartment of the vessel of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side, cross-sectional view of the exemplary wave dampener of FIG. 9 taken along lines 10-10;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of part of the exemplary vessel shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 with the side shell removed to show exemplary interior cargo compartments and other components during exemplary debris recovery operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of part of the exemplary vessel shown in FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 with the side shell removed to show exemplary interior cargo compartments and other components during exemplary debris recovery operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 with the side shell removed to show exemplary interior cargo compartments and other components during exemplary debris recovery operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 with the side shell removed to show exemplary interior cargo compartments and other components during exemplary debris recovery operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 with the side shell removed to show exemplary interior cargo compartments and other components during exemplary debris recovery operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 1 with the side shell removed to show exemplary interior cargo compartments and other components during exemplary debris recovery operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is an exploded top view of part of the exemplary fluid removal system shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 20 is a front view of some of the exemplary fluid removal system components in FIG. 19 taken along lines 20-20;

FIG. 21 is a top view of an exemplary elongated boom of FIG. 1 shown in a stowed position;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of part of the exemplary elongated boom of FIG. 21 ;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of an exemplary waterborne vessel with the decks removed to show parts of an exemplary debris recovery system having an exemplary pivoting-type inflow regulator in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is an isolated perspective view of part of the front end of the exemplary vessel and debris recovery system of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 25 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 23 with the side shell removed and showing the exemplary interior cargo compartment and inflow regulator in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is side, partial cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 23 with the side shell removed and showing the exemplary inflow regulator in an exemplary rest position;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the exemplary inflow regulator of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 28 is another perspective view of the exemplary inflow regulator of FIG. 26 showing its underside;

FIG. 29 is side, partial cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 23 with the side shell removed and showing the exemplary inflow regulator in an exemplary operating position;

FIG. 30 is a side, cut-away view of part of the exemplary waterborne vessel of FIG. 23 with the side shell removed and the exemplary debris recovery system including an exemplary variable buoyancy system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a plan view of part of the exemplary debris recovery system shown in FIG. 30 ;

FIG. 32 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary waterborne vessel of FIG. 23 with the side shell removed and the exemplary debris recovery system including the exemplary variable buoyancy system of FIG. 30 and showing the exemplary inflow regulator in an exemplary rest position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary waterborne vessel of FIG. 32 with the side shell removed and showing the exemplary inflow regulator in a first exemplary operating position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary waterborne vessel of FIG. 32 with the side shell removed and showing the exemplary inflow regulator in a second exemplary operating position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 is a side, cut-away view of part of an exemplary waterborne vessel with the side shell removed and including a debris recovery system having an exemplary sliding-type inflow regulator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the exemplary sliding-type inflow regulator of FIG. 35 ;

FIG. 37 is a top view of part of the exemplary waterborne vessel and debris recovery system shown in FIG. 35 ;

FIG. 38 is a side, cut-away view of part of the exemplary waterborne vessel of FIG. 35 with the side shell removed and including exemplary seal members in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 39 is a top view of part of the waterborne vessel and exemplary debris recovery system shown in FIG. 38 ;

FIG. 40 is a side, cut-away view of part of the exemplary waterborne vessel of FIG. 30 with the side shell removed and including an exemplary IFR catcher in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 41 is partial cross-sectional side view of a waterborne vessel and at least part of another embodiment of a debris recovery system provided thereon in an exemplary transit mode in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a top view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 41 with the top deck removed and exemplary front doors open to show exemplary interior areas and components;

FIG. 43 is partial cross-sectional, side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 41 and the exemplary debris recovery system at the beginning of free-flooding of the exemplary cargo compartment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 44 is partial cross-sectional, side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 41 and the exemplary debris recovery system at the end of free-flooding and the beginning of air evacuation of the exemplary cargo compartment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 45 is partial cross-sectional, side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 41 and the exemplary debris recovery system at the end of air evacuation of the exemplary cargo compartment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 46 is partial cross-sectional, side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 41 and the exemplary debris recovery system during exemplary debris recovery operations;

FIG. 47 is partial cross-sectional, side view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 41 but having an alternate embodiment of components for flooding and air evacuating the illustrated cargo compartment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 48 is partial cross-sectional, side view of part of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 41 and equipped with an exemplary large-sized debris guard in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 49 is a top view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 48 showing exemplary large-sized debris atop the exemplary inflow chamber cover;

FIG. 50 is a top view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 48 and equipped with an exemplary debris containment boom coupled to the exemplary front doors of the vessel and surrounding an exemplary debris field in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 51 is a top view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 48 and equipped with two debris containment booms coupled to the exemplary front doors of the vessel and a pair of exemplary assist vessels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 52 is partial cross-sectional, side view of an exemplary waterborne vessel having an exemplary suction diffuser plate and associated exemplary filter in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 53 is a top view of the vessel of FIG. 52 with the exemplary filter removed;

FIG. 54 is a top view of the vessel of FIG. 52 ;

FIG. 55 is partial cross-sectional, side view of an exemplary waterborne vessel having an exemplary debris separation system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 56 is a top view of an exemplary waterborne vessel having an exemplary debris separation system and debris transport barge in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 57 is a side, cut-away view an exemplary closed-loop variable buoyancy system for use with one or more exemplary variable buoyancy IFRs in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 58 is a top plan view of an exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of an exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 60 is a side view of the exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement of FIG. 59 ;

FIG. 61 is a top plan view of an exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement at an exemplary tank farm in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 62 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of an exemplary ingestion head that can direct recovered debris to an exemplary vessel or other form of exemplary collection system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 63 is a top perspective view of part of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 62 ;

FIG. 64 is a side perspective view of the exemplary IFR cluster of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 62 ;

FIG. 65 is a side view of an exemplary ingestion head shown in an exemplary stowed position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 66 is a side view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 65 moving between at least one exemplary stowed and at least one exemplary operating positions;

FIG. 67 is a side view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 65 in an exemplary operating position;

FIG. 68 is a side view of an exemplary ingestion head shown in an exemplary underground stowed position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 68 ;

FIG. 70 is a side view of the exemplary ingestion head of FIG. 68 shown in an exemplary operating position in a body of water;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of the exemplary ingestion head of FIG. 70 shown including a pair of exemplary containment booms;

FIG. 72 is a bottom view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 68 ;

FIG. 73 is a top view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 68 ;

FIG. 74 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of an exemplary ingestion head shown ingesting water and debris from a body of water and which can direct recovered debris and water to an exemplary vessel or other form of exemplary collection system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 75 is a side view of the exemplary inflow chamber cover shown in FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of the exemplary inflow chamber cover shown in FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 77 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of part of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 74 without any exemplary IFRs or an inflow chamber cover;

FIG. 78 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of part of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 74 without any exemplary IFRs but with an exemplary inflow chamber cover;

FIG. 79 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of part of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of part of another exemplary ingestion head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of the ingestion head shown in FIG. 80 with an exemplary inflow chamber cover partially cut-away;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view of the exemplary inflow chamber cover shown in FIG. 81 ;

FIG. 83 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of an exemplary waterborne vessel shown fluidly coupled to one or more exemplary ingestion heads in an exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 84 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of another exemplary waterborne vessel shown fluidly coupled to one or more exemplary ingestion heads in an exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 85 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of yet another exemplary waterborne vessel shown fluidly coupled to one or more exemplary ingestion heads in an exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 86 is a top view of the exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement shown in FIG. 85 ;

FIG. 87 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of an exemplary collection tank and other parts of an exemplary debris recovery system for use in a remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 88 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of another exemplary collection tank and other parts of an exemplary debris recovery system for use in a remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 89 is a partial cross-sectional, side view of yet another exemplary collection tank and other parts of an exemplary debris recovery system for use in a remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 90 is a top view of still another exemplary collection tank and other parts of an exemplary debris recovery system for use in a remote debris recovery arrangement in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 91 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an ingestion head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 91 ;

FIG. 93 is a side, disassembled, view of main components of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 92 ;

FIG. 94 is a top view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 92 ;

FIG. 95 is a side view of the exemplary ingestion head shown in FIG. 92 ;

FIG. 96 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a vessel shown floating lightly and able to transit quickly, or in an initial deployed position, in a body of water in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 97 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 96 during free-flooding of the collection chamber that has a collection-ready, internal, flotation waterline in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 98 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary vessel of FIG. 96 during debris collection and separation in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 99 is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary debris collection pod shown lifted and before deployment in a body of water in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 100 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 99 shown floating in a body of water in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 101 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 99 during free-flooding of the collection chamber therein in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 102 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 99 during debris collection and separation in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 103 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a debris collection pod shown lifted and before deployment in a body of water in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 104 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 103 shown floating in a body of water in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 105 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 103 during free-flooding of the collection chamber therein in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 106 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 103 during debris collection and separation in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 107 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a debris collection pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 108 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 ;

FIG. 109 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 ;

FIG. 110 is a partial cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 showing a first exemplary spacer in the exemplary inflow tunnel in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 111 is a partial cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 showing a second exemplary spacer in the exemplary inflow tunnel in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 112 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary variable buoyancy IFR in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 113A is a bottom view of the exemplary variable buoyancy IFR of FIG. 112 shown having three exemplary removable floats coupled thereto in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 113B is a bottom view of the exemplary variable buoyancy IFR of FIG. 112 shown having two exemplary removable floats coupled thereto in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 113C is a bottom view of the exemplary variable buoyancy IFR of FIG. 112 shown having one exemplary removable float coupled thereto in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 114 is a side view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 with one or more right side walls thereof removed to show various components inside and outside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 115 is a perspective view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 with one or more front walls thereof removed and showing various components inside and outside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 116 is a perspective view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 with one or more the left side walls thereof removed to show various components inside and outside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 117 is a side view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 ;

FIG. 118 is a perspective view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 117 with one or more rear walls thereof removed and showing various components inside and outside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 119 is a rear view of part of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 117 with one or more rear walls thereof removed and showing various components inside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 120 is a top view of another embodiment of a debris collection pod with one or more upper walls and various components thereof removed and showing various components inside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 121 is a perspective view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 120 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 122 is a rear view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 shown floating in a body of water in an exemplary high-draft position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 123 is a side view of the exemplary debris collection pod shown in FIG. 122 ;

FIG. 124 is a rear view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 shown floating in a body of water in an exemplary low-draft position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 125 is a side view of the exemplary debris collection pod shown in FIG. 124 ;

FIG. 126 is a rear view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 shown floating in a body of water in an exemplary rolled position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 127 is a rear view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 shown floating in a body of water in another exemplary rolled position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 128 is a rear view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 shown floating in a body of water in an exemplary pitched position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 129 is a rear view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 shown floating in a body of water in another exemplary pitched position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 130 is a rear view of part of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 131 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 ;

FIG. 132 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary adjustable-position flotation tank of the debris collection pod shown in FIG. 107 ;

FIG. 133 is a partial cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 with one or more rear walls thereof removed and showing various components inside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 134 is a perspective view of part of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 showing various components inside the exemplary lower body of the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 135 is an exploded perspective view of part of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 showing various components in the exemplary lower body of the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 136 is an exploded view of the top of the exemplary trunk of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 137 is a side view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 with one or more right side walls thereof removed to show various components inside and outside the pod in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 138 is a side view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 with one or more left side walls thereof removed to show exemplary solid debris collection operations in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 139 is an overhead view of the exemplary debris collection pod of FIG. 107 shown deployed at an exemplary remove debris recovery site in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 140 depicts an example network diagram including one or more client devices, user/vessel host systems and debris recovery vessels in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and referring to the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the description herein and appended drawings, being of exemplary embodiments, are not intended to limit the claims of this patent (or any patent or patent application claiming priority hereto). On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and the claims. Many changes may be made to the particular embodiments and details disclosed herein without departing from such spirit and scope.

In showing and describing preferred embodiments in the appended figures, common or similar components, features and elements are referenced with like or identical reference numerals or are apparent from the figures and/or the description, claims and other parts of this patent herein. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

When reference numbers are followed by a lowercase letter (e.g., connectors 110 a, 110 b), they are each the same type of component or item (e.g., a connector 110) having the same features, but having a different location, use or other characteristic(s). As used herein and throughout various portions (and headings) of this patent (including the claims), the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof are not intended to mean every possible embodiment encompassed by this disclosure or any particular claim(s). Thus, the subject matter of each such reference should not be considered as necessary for, or part of, every embodiment hereof or of any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference.

Certain terms are used herein and in the appended claims to refer to particular features and components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to a feature or component by different names and this document does not intend to distinguish between components and features that differ in name but not function.

Reference herein and in the appended claims to components, features and aspects in a singular tense does not necessarily limit the present disclosure or appended claims to only one such component, feature or aspect, but should be interpreted generally to mean one or more, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. The use of “(s)” in reference to an item, aspect, component, feature or action (e.g., “surface(s)”) should be construed to mean “at least one”.

As used throughout and in all parts of this patent, the following terms have the following meanings, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise:

The term “and/or” as used herein provides for three distinct possibilities: one, the other or both. All three possibilities do not need to be available—only any one of the three. For example, if an embodiment of a component is described as “having a collar and/or a coupling”, it may include only one or more collars, only one or more couplings or at least one of each. Thus, the use of “and/or” herein does not require all three possibilities, just any one or more of the three possibilities. A claim limitation that recites “having a collar and/or a coupling” would be literally infringed by a device including only one or more collars, one or more couplings or both one or more couplings and one or more collars.

The phrase “at least one among” as used herein generally has the same meaning as “and/or”. For example, if an embodiment of a component is described as “having at least one among a collar, a coupling and a connector”, it may include only one or more collars, only one or more couplings, only one or more connectors or any combination thereof. Thus, the use of “at least one among” herein and in any claims related hereto does not require all those possibilities to be available, just any one or more of them. Accordingly, a claim limitation that recites “having at least one among a collar, a coupling and a connector” would be literally infringed by a device including only one or more collars, one or more couplings, one or more connectors or any combination thereof.

The terms “automated”, “automatic” and variations thereof as used herein refer to and mean being capable of operating or performing one or more tasks with minimal or no human intervention. Some examples of automation involve the use of one or more electronic devices (e.g., computers, robotics, AI, IoT).

The terms “autonomous” and variations thereof mean the referenced item can operate to perform one or more function automatically and without human involvement.

The terms “bead”, “pellet” and variations thereof refer to and include a small typically rounded, spherical, cylindrical or sometimes odd-shaped mass (e.g., flakes, chips) of one or more substances which may have a size between under 1 mm and 5 mm, but can be smaller or larger. Beads are typically small-sized debris and one example of man-made beads is pre-production plastic pellets, or nurdles, which, in some cases, are made of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl chloride and/or other material(s) and are used as a base material for many products. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such type of beads.

The terms “connector”, “coupling” and the like, and variations thereof, mean and include any form of hardware or configuration of components that causes the referenced items to be connectable together. The present disclosure and appended claims are thus not limited to the specific types of couplings and connectors shown in the appended drawings, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The terms “coupled”, “connected”, “engaged” and the like, and variations thereof refer to and include either an indirect or direct connection or engagement. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and/or connections, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The terms “elongated” and variations thereof as used herein mean and refer to an item having an overall length (during the intended use of the item) that is greater than its average width.

The term “diameter” means diameter or width, so the diameter of a component mentioned herein may actually be its diameter or width.

The terms “fluid” and variations thereof refer to and include liquids, gas, solids or a combination thereof, including, without limitation, foam, gel, solvent, chemicals, lubricant, grease, oil, hydraulic fluid, materials, particles, proppant, slurry, etc. The type of fluid is not limiting upon the present disclosure or appended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The terms “for example, “e.g.,”, “such as” and variations thereof are used to provide one or more possible examples of the referenced item, feature, detail, circumstance, etc. that may occur in some instances. Such examples are not required for every embodiment or any claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The terms “including” and “comprising” are used herein and in the appended claims in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to”.

“Large-sized debris” may include items such as, but not limited to, cups, bottles, cans and other garbage, driftwood, large biological materials (e.g., deceased marine life, large globs of algae bloom), floating wood, plastic, metallic and other large objects as well as conglomerates, globs, sludge or slurry mixtures that includes debris, and the like. The meaning of the term “large” as used to describe debris is relative and depends upon other variables in a particular scenario, such as the dimensions or capabilities of various components and/or parts of the vessel 10 (e.g., size of debris pump inlet 382 and capacity of debris pumps 380, when included). For a non-limiting example, in some embodiments, a large-sized debris particle may have a width, length, height and diameter of over approximately one inch (1″) or one-and-a-half inches (1.5″), but it could be more or less. The present disclosure and appended claims are not intended, and should not be limited, to a particular type or size of large-sized debris, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The terms “minimal”, “insubstantial” and the like and variations thereof generally mean no more than approximately 5-10%, but may vary depending upon the particular type of equipment item(s) in play, application, circumstances of use, other variables or a combination thereof.

The terms “operator”, “user”, “owner”, “party”, “stakeholder” and he like, and variations thereof, refer to and include one or more one or more humans, legal entities, virtual entities, robots or robotic components, artificial intelligence-driven components/circuitry, other entities or components and the like or the effort thereof.

The terms “outfall canal” and variations thereof refer to and include aboveground and underground areas, such as sumps, ditches, canals, tunnels, ponds and caverns where wastewater, storm water or debris may pass through or be collected. Outfall canals may be associated with private or governmental entities, such as refineries, chemical plants, tank farms, municipalities, etc., but are not limited thereto.

The terms “perforated” and variations thereof mean having a multitude of orifices (aka perforations) formed therein and through which water can flow and adjacent orifices are separated by one or more impenetrable surfaces, structures or areas.

The terms “rigidly coupled” and variations thereof mean connected together in a manner that is intended not to allow any, or more than an insubstantial or minimal amount of, relative movement therebetween as is expected during typical or expected operations. In other words, if components A and B are rigidly coupled together, they are not movable relative to one another (more than a minimal or insubstantial amount) during typical or expected operations.

“Small-sized debris” may include items such as, but are not limited to, oil, chemicals, floating liquids, particulate pollutants, pellets, small biological materials (e.g., small globs of algae bloom), small plastic material (e.g., micro-plastics, plastic beads), other small trash particles, small floating metallic and/or wood objects, and the like. The meaning of the term “small” as used to describe debris is relative and depends upon other variables in a particular scenario, such as the dimensions or capabilities of various components and/or parts of a vessel 10 (e.g., size of debris pump inlet(s) 382 and capacity of debris pumps 380, when included). For a non-limiting example, in some embodiments, a small-sized debris item may have a width, length, height and diameter of up to approximately (1″ or 1.5″, but it could be more or less. The present disclosure and appended claims are not intended, and should not be limited, to a particular type or size of small-sized debris, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The terms “substantial”, “substantially”, “primarily” and variations generally mean at least 90%, but may be more or less depending upon the particular type of equipment item(s) in play, application, circumstances of use, other variables or a combination thereof. For example, in some instances, such when used to describe the amount or degree of something (e.g., “reduces a substantial volume of fluid”), substantial may mean only at least 50% (or more or less) of the normal or expected amount or degree of the referenced item, variable, criteria, etc.

The terms “successive”, “in succession” and variations thereof mean one after the other.

The “top deck” refers to and includes any upper surface of a vessel 10, including ingestion heads 440, pods 600, etc., that is normally maintained above the surface of the body of water during typical deployment or operations.

The terms “waterborne” and variations thereof mean deployable on, or in, water, other liquid or a combination thereof.

An “unmanned” vessel can operate, in at least some situations, without any humans on board.

The terms “vertical” and variations thereof mean, includes and refers to perfectly vertical, angled (not perfectly vertical) or otherwise extending in a non-horizontal manner or orientation. For example, the “vertical wall” 90 is not limited to having only a perfectly vertical orientation, but may have any orientation that is not horizontal.

It should be noted that any of the above terms may be further explained, defined, expanded or limited below or in other parts of this disclosure. Further, the above list of terms is not all inclusive, and other terms may be defined or explained below or in other sections of this patent.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 & 2 , an exemplary debris recovery vessel 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in a debris collection area, or body of water, 30. In this example, the debris 34 to be recovered is a contaminant, such as floating oil. However, depending upon the configuration of the vessel 10 and other factors, any collectible type and form of contaminants or debris may be recovered. For example, the debris 34 may include one or more substances, materials or a combination thereof, such as chemicals (e.g., alcohol, petroleum products, oil), particulate pollutants and other solids (e.g., wood, floating metallic materials, beads, plastic debris and micro plastics, such as presently found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, etc.), biological matter and the like.

In many embodiments, only buoyant or partially buoyant debris 34 may be collected, while other embodiments may involve or include the collection of non-buoyant debris 34. Accordingly, the present disclosure and appended claims are not necessarily limited to, or by type of, debris 34 that may be present in the body of water 30 and recovered, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. For the reader's convenience, the terms “debris” and “contaminant” are used interchangeably herein. Thus, the “debris” being recovered may sometimes be referred to herein as a contaminant whether or not it actually formally contaminates the body of water 30.

Similarly, depending upon the configuration of the vessel 10 and other factors, the vessel 10 may be used in any type of body of water 30, such as any inland or offshore waterway (e.g., a sea or ocean, bay, sound, inlet, river, stream, lake, canal, wetlands, swamp), onshore or off-shore, aboveground or underground, man-made or natural areas or structures that can contain debris (e.g., pond, tank, tank farm, ditch, outfall canal, tunnel, cavern, sump, etc.) or the like. Accordingly, the present disclosure and appended claims are not necessarily limited to, or by the type or nature of the body of water, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. For the reader's convenience, the terms “body of water”, “collection area” and the like, and variations thereof, are used interchangeably herein to generally refer to any area that contains or can contain debris which can be recovered with the use of one or more embodiments of apparatus, systems or methods that are described herein or apparent from this patent.

Additionally for the reader's convenience, the substance(s) contained in the body of water 30 within which the debris can float is sometimes referred to herein as “water” or “sea water” 38, even though it may not actually be water or sea water, depending upon the type of body of water 30 and other factors. For example, in some cases, the “sea water 38” as referenced herein may be fresh water, contaminated water, one or more other liquids or a combination thereof in a body of water 30. In some instances, the body of water 30 may contain only, or primarily, liquids or substances other than water, chemicals, gas, foam, froth, particles, materials, or a combination thereof. For example, when the body of water 30 is at a tank facility 424 (e.g., FIG. 61 ), such as a tank farm or the like having oil, or other chemical or liquid product in the product storage tanks 426 and there is a leak, the liquid in the body of water 30 may be only product, or product and water and/or other substances/materials (e.g., fire suppressants). Thus, in some situations, the body of water 30 refers to an area that does not, in fact, contain water, and what is referred to herein as the sea water 38 may be fresh water or may not include any water. Accordingly, the present disclosure and appended claims are not necessarily limited to recovering containments from bodies of water 30 containing water, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 & 2 , the illustrated vessel 10 is useful for recovering and/or collecting debris 34 floating at the surface 32 of the body of water 30 in a debris field, or oil spill area, 36, near the surface 32 of, or elsewhere in, the body of water 30. The surface 32 of the body of water 32 may, in various applications, be generally at sea level 33 (e.g., FIGS. 32, 41, 55, 83, 92, 97, 104 & 124 ) of the body of water 30 and extend to a depth below the actual surface plane. For example, the “debris field”, or “oil spill area”, 36 can, in some instances, be characterized as generally having a top layer of floating debris (e.g., oil), followed by a lower layer of partially submerged debris or contaminated sea water (e.g., “oily water”) followed by lower layers of sea water 38 that debris may extend into or enter, particularly when there is turbulence in the water from wind, waves, vessels moving through the oil spill area 36 or other causes. As used herein, the terms “wave” and variations thereof mean and includes waves, swells, chops and any other formations of water 38 in a body of water 30 that cause the surface 32 of the body of water 30 to not be flat. It should be noted, however, that such “layering” is a general description and the actual disposition of oil and other debris in the body of water 30 is dynamic and thus change over time or in real-time. Accordingly, debris 34 floating at the surface 32 of a body of water 30 may include debris that is at least partially buoyant, which may be located at the top layer (in the plane of the surface 32), as well as debris floating or positioned in a middle or even lower layer (below the plane of the surface 32).

The vessel 10 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. For example, the vessel 10 may include a front or forward end 42, a rear or aft end 44, a left or port side 46, a right or starboard side 48 and is moveable across the surface 32 of the body of water 30 to, from and through the debris (e.g., oil) spill area 36. The front end 42 of the illustrated vessel 10 is shown having a curved shape, but could instead have a straight, rectangular or any other desired shape. The vessel 10 may be self-propelled, propelled in a different manner or be stationary (e.g., moored platform, anchored barge, at least partially floating collection tank, skimmer, ingestion head 440 (e.g., FIGS. 62, 92 ), pod 600 (e.g., FIGS. 99, 107 )). For example, the vessel 10 may be dropped or placed into the body of water 30. In this embodiment, the vessel is a ship-shape tanker barge 12 moved by a primary mover, such as a tug boat 14, in an integrated tug/barge arrangement. The illustrated tug 14 inserts into the barge 12 at a slot 50 at the rear end 44 of the barge 12. Other embodiments of the vessel 10 may be a self-propelled tanker or other ship, a barge moved by a tanker ship, a skimmer, collection pod or tank, ingestion head, or any other type of waterborne vessel or structure. Furthermore, the vessel 10 may be a retrofit or a new vessel. Other than having the common quality of being waterborne, the present disclosure is not limited by the nature and type of vessel 10 or whether, or how, it is movable or propelled in the body of water 30, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 & 2 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the vessel 10 may include a debris recovery system 58 having at least one cargo chamber, or compartment, 60. The chamber 60 may also be referred to herein as a processing, collection and/or separation, compartment, chamber or tank, as well as other variations of the terms processing, collection, separation, compartment, chamber, tank and the like. Thus, such terms and variations thereof are used herein (and in other patents and patent applications owned by the Assignee hereof) interchangeably and are not limiting upon the present disclosure. Each exemplary chamber 60 is arranged and adapted to at least temporarily contain fluid and debris 34 (e.g., water and oil). Generally, in many embodiments, when oil, and/or other debris 34 that is buoyant or has lower density than sea water 38, is present in a chamber 60, the buoyancy thereof is expected to help to cause the debris to ultimately float atop any sea water 38 therein.

The cargo compartment(s) 60 may have any suitable form, size, location, configuration, components and construction, as long as it has the common qualities of being sized to fit on the vessel 10, be able to contain water and debris and from which water and debris can be removed. Likewise, any desired number of one or more cargo compartments 60 may be included. In this embodiment, multiple distinct cargo compartments 60 are fluidly coupled together in succession, or one after the other. Thus, a first exemplary compartment is fluidly coupled to a second compartment, which is fluidly coupled to a third compartment and so on. The illustrated cargo compartments 60 are positioned proximate or adjacent to one another along at least part of the length 52 of the vessel 10 and below the top deck 54.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 & 2 , in this example, a front, or first, cargo compartment 62 is closest to the front end 42 of the vessel 10, a rearmost, or sixth, cargo compartment 64 is closest to the rear end 44 of the vessel 10 and four intermediate cargo compartments 60 (e.g., the second 66, third 68, fourth 70 and fifth 72 cargo compartments) are positioned therebetween. However, there may be fewer (e.g., one) or more (e.g., 6, 7, 8, etc.) cargo compartments 60. Some embodiments may include cargo compartments 60 that are side-by-side, one above the other, and/or multiple rows of cargo compartments 60 or any combination thereof. The present disclosure is thus not limited by the number, size, location and configuration of cargo compartments 60, which may have any suitable size, shape and dimensions. For example, in some embodiments of vessels 10 useful in offshore and some onshore locations, the exemplary cargo compartments 60 each have an approximate height of forty five feet (45′), an approximate width of fifty feet (50′) and an approximate length of seventy five feet (75′).

If desired, the vessel 10 may have additional compartments. For example, the illustrated barge 12 is a double-hull tanker that includes outer compartments surrounding the cargo compartments 60, such as one or more (e.g., side) ballast tanks 80, a forward void 84, a rear void 86 and one or more inner bottom tanks 88 (e.g., FIG. 2 ). These additional compartments may be used for any suitable purpose. For example, one or more of the ballast tanks 80 may be loaded and/or unloaded during debris recovery operations with sea water to obtain, maintain or change the desired height of the vessel 10 in the body of water 30. However, the inclusion, quantity, type, configuration, location and use of additional compartments is not limiting upon the present disclosure.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 & 2 , the exemplary vessel 10 typically also includes at least one vertical wall, or bulkhead, 90. When included, the vertical wall(s) 90 may have any suitable form, configuration, location and operation. In this embodiment, each adjacent pair of cargo compartments 60 is at least partially separated by at least one bulkhead 90 and at least one bulkhead 90 separates at least one chamber 60 (e.g., the foremost or front cargo compartment 62) from the body of water 30 (often at the front end 42 of the vessel 10), which is sometimes referred to herein as the front vertical wall 92.

In various embodiments, other portions or chambers on the vessel 10 (e.g., inflow chamber 310 (e.g., FIGS. 52, 74, 103 ), inflow tunnel 312 (e.g., FIG. 137 ), suction chamber 340 (e.g., FIGS. 41 & 96 )) or on other components (inflow chamber 466 of collection tank 462 (e.g., FIG. 87 )) may be at least partially separated from the cargo compartment(s) 60 and/or each other by one or more vertical walls 90, or may include one or more vertical walls 90 therein. If desired, a removable hatch 93 (e.g., FIG. 54 ) may be provided over the top of one or more vertical walls 90 to provide easy access, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 & 4 , the exemplary vessel 10 may also include at least one passageway, or opening, 100 that allows fluid and/or debris flow past one or more vertical walls 90 or between different cargo compartments 60 and/or other parts of the vessel 10 (e.g., inflow chamber 310 (e.g., FIGS. 52, 74, 103 ), inflow tunnel 312 (e.g., FIG. 137 ), suction chamber 340 (e.g., FIGS. 41 & 96 )) or in other components (inflow chamber 466 of collection tank 462 (e.g., FIG. 87 )). One or more exemplary passageways 100 may also, or instead, allow fluid and/or debris to flow into the vessel 10, or cargo compartment(s) 60, from the body of water 30; which passageways 100 are sometimes referred to herein as the intake opening(s) 102 (see also, FIGS. 24, 46, 53, 55, 62, 86, 99, 137 ).

The openings 100, 102 may likewise have any suitable form, configuration, location and operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the intake openings 102 are formed in or adjacent to the front vertical wall 92 (see also FIG. 11 ). In some configurations, the front vertical wall 92 may be coupled to or formed in one or more forward-facing trunks (not shown) or other components or structures that include, or form, at least one intake opening 102 which allows fluid/debris flow from the body of water 30 into the desired cargo compartment(s) 60 or other part of the vessel 10. For example, the intake opening 102 may be formed in or by two forward-facing trunks, or other features, (not shown) fluidly coupled to the front compartment 62 (e.g., outwardly angled relative to the longitudinal centerline of the vessel 10). And in many embodiments, the front 42 of the vessel 10 may be open, forming the intake opening 102 (e.g., FIGS. 24, 46, 55, 91, 107 ).

Referring back to FIGS. 3 & 4 , the openings 100 in each successive exemplary vertical wall 90 allow fluid flow between the successive adjacent cargo compartments 60 (see also FIG. 12 ) or other areas on the vessel 10. In some embodiments, any of these passageways 100 may communicate fluid through one or more forward-facing trunks or other structures or components (not shown). Moreover, one or more of openings 100, 102 may be at least partially formed in, or by, the body, hull, top deck or other component or part of the vessel 10 (e.g., not necessarily in a vertical wall 90).

In many embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 1-4 ), the opening(s) 100 in or associated with the front vertical wall 92 allow the flow of liquid/debris into the front cargo compartment 62 from the body of water 30, and the exemplary opening(s) 100 in or adjacent to each successive vertical wall 90 allow liquid/debris to flow at least from the adjacent foremost chamber 60 into the adjacent aft-most chamber 60 (e.g., into each successive chamber 60 in the aft direction). Liquid and/or debris can thus flow from the body of water 30 into the illustrated front cargo compartment 62, then into the second cargo compartment 66, then into the third cargo compartment 68 and so on and finally into the rearmost cargo compartment 64 through the respective openings 100.

The openings 100 may also have any suitable quantity, size and orientation. Still referring to FIGS. 3 & 4 , for example, each vertical wall 90 of the illustrated debris recovery system 58 includes six square openings 100, each having, an approximate height of six feet (6′) and an approximate width of fifteen feet (15′) and spaced approximately six feet (6′) from the top of the associated chamber 60. However, there may be more or less openings 100 (formed in or associated with each or select vertical walls 90) having any other desired dimensions and location. In the illustrated example, each opening 100 is formed in the corresponding vertical wall 90 proximate to its upper end 94 and the upper end 74 of the adjacent cargo compartment(s) 60. As will be described further below, the location of the openings 100 near the upper end 74 of the illustrated cargo compartments 60 may be provided, for example, to encourage primarily debris (e.g., oil and some oily water), and at times, only oil and/or other debris, to flow into the front cargo compartment 62 from the body of water 30 (e.g., and then into each successive cargo compartment 66, 68, 70 72 and 64) during debris recovery operations.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 , if desired, the exemplary vessel 10 may have an intake, or recessed front, deck 56 forward of the front vertical wall 92. As used herein, the terms “recessed front deck”, “intake deck” and variations thereof refer to an uppermost deck of the vessel that is forward of the front vertical wall 92 and is recessed relative to, or lower in height than, the top deck 54 of at least some of the portion(s) of the vessel 10 that extend over the cargo compartments 60. As shown in FIG. 3 , the recessed front deck 56 may, for example, include at least one flat plate that aligns below the height of the openings 100 in the front vertical wall 92, such as to assist in encouraging the flow of the top layer(s) of liquid from the body of water 30 into the front cargo compartment 62. However, the recessed front deck 56 may have any other form, configuration and shape or may not be included.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3 , the exemplary debris recovery system 58 may include at least one distinct door, or gate, 110 arranged and adapted to allow and disallow the flow of liquid and/or debris through at least one of the openings 100. Each exemplary gate 110 is selectively movable between at least one open and at least one closed position. In the open position(s), each exemplary gate 110 allows liquid/debris flow through its associated opening(s) 100, and in the closed position(s), each illustrated gate 110 disallows liquid/debris flow through its associated opening(s) 100.

If desired, the debris recovery system 58 may be configured so that one or more gates 110 may be used, at least in part, to further refine the flow of liquid/debris thereby. For example, the position of the respective gates 110 may be remotely adjusted to serve as a skimmer, or debris separator, to encourage mostly debris (e.g., oil) to waterfall, cascade or pass, by the gate 110 through the associated opening(s) 100. In that context, the gate 110 serves as an embodiment of a “sliding”-type wave dampener, or inflow regulator, 140 (e.g., as discussed below). In various embodiments, the fully open position(s) of each gate 110 is below the associated opening(s) 100. Consequently, if desired, each exemplary gate 110 may be movable up therefrom, or down from a closed position, into one or more partially open positions. Thus, in some embodiments, the height of the gate 110 can be adjusted relative to the lower end of the associated opening(s) 100 to cause a waterfall, or cascading, effect of the top layer(s) of liquid and debris (e.g., oil and oily water) and block the lower, heavier, layer of sea water 38 from passing thereby.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the gates 110 in the closed position may not provide a complete fluid-tight seal. Thus, when all gates 110 associated with all the openings 100 in one of the vertical walls 90 are in a closed position, the aft-most adjacent chamber 60 is at least substantially sealed from the inflow of liquid from the other adjacent chamber 60, or, in the case of the front cargo compartment 62, from the body of water 30. For example, when the gate(s) 110 associated with opening(s) 100 in the front vertical wall 92 are closed, the front cargo compartment 62 is at least substantially sealed from the entry of liquid from the body of water 30 through those opening(s) 100. For example, in some embodiments, such as upon completion of debris recovery operation and prior to transit of the vessel 10 to an off-loading location, all gates 110 may be 100% sealed.

The gates 110 may have any suitable form, construction, configuration and operation. Referring to FIGS. 4-7 , for example, a single gate 110 may be movable over all the openings 100 formed in the associated vertical wall 90. The exemplary gate 110 includes an elongated plate 112 that is selectively moveable up and down over the adjacent openings 100 between at least one open (e.g., FIGS. 4 & 6 ) and at least one closed position (e.g., FIGS. 5 & 7) by at least one gate actuator 120. If desired, the gate 110 may include numerous (e.g., three) stiffeners 114 extending at least substantially across the length of the plate 112. The stiffeners 114 may have any suitable form, configuration and construction. For example, the stiffeners 114 may be angle iron coupled to the outside surface of the plate 112, such as to assist in supporting the plate 112 and maintaining the shape of the plate 112, other desired purpose(s) or a combination thereof. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. In other embodiments, for example, a distinct gate 110 may be provide for each opening 10, may have a configuration that does not include an elongated plate 112 and/or may not have stiffeners 114.

The gate actuator(s) 120 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction and operation. For example, the gate actuator 120 may be electronically and/or manually and/or remotely controlled. For another example, one or more gate actuators 120 may be used to control movement of one or more gates 110. For yet another example, the gate actuator 120 may be used to selectively move the associated gate(s) 110 between positions, such as between any among multiple different open positions and a closed position, based upon any suitable criteria. For example, any one or more of the gates 110 may be moved to an optimal partially-open position for encouraging mostly debris, such as oil, to flow thereby based upon the particular buoyancy, density, thickness and/or weight of the debris. Thus, the gate actuator(s) 120 may, if desired, be configured so that the position of one or more of the gates 110 may be varied throughout debris recovery operations.

Still referring to FIGS. 4-7 , in this embodiment, three gate actuators 120 are used to drive each exemplary gate 110. Each illustrated gate actuator 120 is a hydraulic actuator 122. For example, the hydraulic actuator 122 may include a hydraulic power unit 124 (shown positioned above the top deck 54) which drives a telescoping unit 126 coupled to the gate 110. In other embodiments, more or fewer gate actuators 120 of any type (e.g., pneumatic actuators) may be used to drive each gate 110. For example, the gate actuator 120 in FIG. 8 includes a manually rotatable crank-wheel 128 and crank rod 129 coupled to the gate 110 and configured to move the gate 110 up into at least one closed position and down into one or more open positions. If desired, the crank-wheel 128 may extend above the top deck 54, such as for convenience.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4 , if desired, one or more gate guide/sealing mechanisms 116 may be provided, such as to assist in defining one or more positions of the gate 110, guiding the up and down movement of the gate 110, enhancing the desired sealing engagement between the gate 110 and vertical wall 90, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. The gate guide/sealing mechanism 116 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction and operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the gate guide/sealing mechanism 116 includes a frame 118 extending around the periphery of all of the openings 100 to define the upper and lower limits of movement of the gate 110 and also assist in providing some sealing engagement between the gate 110 in a fully closed position and the vertical wall 90. For example, the frame 118 may be constructed of angle iron coupled to the vertical wall 90.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 & 10 , if desired, the debris recovery system 58 may include one or more wave dampeners, or inflow regulators (IFR), 140 within one or more of the cargo compartments 60 or any other desired location on the vessel 10 or in any other components of a remote debris recovery arrangement 420 (e.g., FIGS. 58-81 ). As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “wave dampener”, “inflow regulator”, “IFR” and variations thereof are used interchangeably. The wave dampener(s) 140 may have any suitable purpose. For example, the wave dampener(s) 140 may be provided to reduce the size of, or turbulence caused by, waves in liquid passing through one or more of the openings 100, help encourage only the top layers of liquid and debris (e.g., oil, oily water) to pass through the openings 100, help maintain a steady flow of liquid through the openings 100, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

When included, the wave dampeners 140 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction and operation. Some embodiments of IFRs 140 are sometimes referred to herein as “sliding”-type IFRs 140 (e.g., gates 110, FIGS. 2, 4-6, 14-18 ; see also, FIGS. 35-39 ) because they are designed to move in a generally sliding movement (typically up and down) relative to the vessel 10 or other structure or components, while others are sometimes referred to herein as “pivoting”-type IFRs 140 because they are configured to pivot relative to the vessel 10 (see e.g., FIGS. 10-13, 23-29, 52-77 ) or other structure or components. In FIGS. 9 & 10 , for example, a pivoting-type IFR 140 extends into each chamber 60 proximate to the opening(s) 100 formed in the forward-most vertical wall 90 for that chamber 60 (See also FIGS. 11 & 13 ). The exemplary wave dampener 140 includes at least one float 144 that is coupled (e.g., by weld, mechanical connectors, etc.) to one or more carriers 146, spaced-away from the vertical wall 90 and arranged to float in the liquid entering the chamber 60 though the openings 100. In this embodiment, one carrier 146 and float 144 are shown extending across all of the openings 100 in the associated vertical wall 90.

The float(s) 144 and carrier(s) 146, when included, may have any suitable form, configuration, operation and constructed of metal, plastic or any other suitable material or combination thereof. In this particular embodiment, the float 144 is a single tube 145 (e.g., hollow-pipe), but could include multiple components (e.g., removable and replaceable to decrease or increase buoyancy of the IFR 140). The illustrated float 144 is elongated and configured to freely move up and down with the surface of the liquid. In FIG. 10 , for example, the float 144 is shown in three positions as it moves up and down with the incoming liquid. The illustrated carrier 146 is a flat plate 150 pivotably connected to the gate 110 associated with the openings 100, such as with one or more hinge pins 148, but could have any other construction. In other embodiments, the wave dampener 140 may include multiple (e.g., removable) floats 144 and/or carriers 146, which be coupled to one or more vertical walls 90 or other component(s) or parts of the vessel 10. For example, multiple independent sets of carriers 146 with floats 144 may be side-by-side across the width of the chamber 60 (e.g., to move at least partially independently relative to one another) and pivotably coupled to one another and one or more side walls 82 (FIG. 1 ) of the chamber 60. Depending upon the particular circumstances and arrangement, the float 144 and possibly also the carrier 146 may assist in reducing the size of, or turbulence caused by, waves in the liquid passing through one or more of the openings 100, encouraging only the top layer(s) of liquid and debris (e.g., oil, oily water) to pass through the openings 100, and/or maintaining a steady flow of liquid through the openings 100, have any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 & 2 , the debris recovery system 58 may include a fluid removal system 158 useful for removing entirely, or substantially, debris-free water (or other fluid) from one or more cargo compartments 60, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. The fluid removal system 158 may have any suitable configuration, components and operation. For example, fluid can be removed through the fluid removal system 158 from any one or more cargo compartments 60 at the same time, or in isolation relative to the other cargo compartments. Referring specifically to FIGS. 12 & 13 , in some embodiments, the fluid removal system 158 is particularly configured to allow the drainage of sea water 38 from the lower end 76 of any chamber 60 and, at the same time, ultimately allow oil (and/or other debris) to at least partially fill that chamber 60 from its upper end 74 through the opening(s) 100 in the forward-adjacent vertical wall 90. In fact, the debris recovery system 58 may be configured to allow each successive chamber 60, starting at the rear end 44 of the vessel 10, to be at least substantially drained of sea water 38 and, concurrently, at least partially or substantially filled with debris 34.

In FIG. 1 , the fluid removal system 158 includes a main suction conduit 160 extending at least partially through, and fluidly coupled to, each chamber 60 and configured to remove liquid from each chamber 60 as described above. The suction conduit 160 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction, location and operation. The exemplary suction conduit 160 extends lengthwise from the front cargo compartment 62 to aft of the rear cargo compartment 64, and delivers the drained liquid into the body of water 30 proximate to its aft end.

Referring to FIGS. 19 & 20 , in many embodiments, the suction conduit 160 is configured to draw liquid from each chamber 60 at the lower end 76 thereof. For example, the suction conduit 160 can draw liquid through at least one distinct suction inlet 164 positioned within each respective chamber 60 proximate to the lower end 76 thereof (See also e.g., FIG. 13 ). In this embodiment, the fluid removal system 158 includes two suction inlets 164 disposed within each chamber 60. The exemplary suction inlets 164 are each provided in a respective inlet pipe section 168 fluidly coupled to and extending laterally from the suction conduit 160 and positioned to optimally draw in liquid (e.g., sea water) from the bottom of the chamber 60. For example, the inlets 164 may be positioned as close to the bottom (lower end 76) of the associated chamber 60 as is possible or practical. In some instances, each suction inlet 164 is the open end of a downwardly facing elbow pipe 170 provided at the ends of the respective inlet pipe sections 168. However, this exemplary configuration is not limiting upon the present disclosure. Any other suitable arrangement may be used to remove fluid (e.g., sea water) from one or more cargo compartments 60. In fact, some embodiments will not include any suction conduits 160 and/or related components.

The size, number and location of the suction inlets 164 may be determined based on any suitable criteria, such as to provide the desired liquid flow rate in the associated chamber 60. For example, the velocity of the liquid (e.g., sea water) being removed from the cargo compartments 60 may be determined or limited to control or limit the turbulence and mixing of the liquid (e.g., oil, oily water) entering the successive compartments 60 through the associated openings 100 and promote the separation of debris and sea water in the cargo compartments 60.

Still referring to FIGS. 19 & 20 , if desired, the fluid removal system 158 may be configured to fluidly isolate each chamber 60. For example, at least one fluid valve 174 may be associated with each chamber 60. In many embodiments, in an open position, each such valve 174 will allow the flow of liquid from the associated chamber 60 into the suction conduit(s) 160 at the location of that valve 174. In a closed position, each exemplary valve 174 should disallow liquid flow between the associated chamber 60 and the suction conduit 160 at the location of that valve 174. Any suitable arrangement of valves 174 may be used for selectively allowing and disallowing liquid flow from each chamber 60 into the fluid removal system 158. For example, a distinct selectively controllable valve 174 may be provided between the suction conduit 160 and each suction inlet 164, such as in each inlet pipe section 168. Thus, to remove liquid from a particular chamber 60, the exemplary valves 174 in that chamber 60 are opened and the valves 174 in all other cargo compartments 60 are closed. In some configurations, it may be possible to open one or more valves 174 in multiple cargo compartments 60 at the same time.

The valve(s) 174 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. For example, a commercial valve that may be useful as the valve 174 in some embodiments is the Class 123, iron body, gate-type valves having an outside screw and yoke with a rising stem by Crane Co. If desired, the valves 174 may be remotely actuated, such as via an electronic controller or computer-based control system (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ). However, in other embodiments, the fluid removal system 158 use different components to fluidly isolate cargo compartments 60 or may not isolate any cargo compartments 60.

Still referring to FIGS. 19 & 20 , if desired, the vessel 10 may include one or more internal sensors 178 useful to determine the nature, height, depth, volume, density, location or other characteristic(s) of contents, such as debris and/or water, in the vessel 10 (e.g., approaching or entering the fluid removal system 158 or a part thereof, at a height in the compartment 60, etc.), for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, the internal sensor(s) 178 may be mounted in the chamber 60 or coupled to the fluid removal system 158.

The internal sensor 178 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In some embodiments, the internal sensor 178 may include at least one oily water sensor 180 disposed within each chamber 60 (e.g., proximate to each suction inlet 164 and configured to detect oil in the liquid entering the associated suction inlet 164. For example, a distinct oily water sensor 180 may be fluidly coupled to each inlet pipe section 168 or the suction conduit 160. The Model EX-100P2/1000P2, in-line analyzer by Advanced Sensors may be used as the oily water sensor 180 in some embodiments. For another example, at least one oily water sensor 180 may be mounted elsewhere in the chamber 60. A commercial example of an oily water sensor 180 that may be mounted elsewhere in the chamber 60 in various embodiments is the Model EX-100M/1000M side stream analyzer by Advanced Sensors.

If desired, the debris recovery system 58 may be configured so that each internal sensor 178 may communicate with at least one electronic controller or computer-based control system (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ), such as for the internal sensor 178 to provide signals indicating the presence, absence, location, volume, density or other characteristic of debris (e.g., oil) or water in any desired part of the vessel 10 (e.g., entering the intake opening 102, in a chamber 60, in the sea water entering an associated suction inlet 164, etc.). In some embodiments, based at least partially upon information received from one or more internal sensor 178, the controller 688 may signal one or more pumps (e.g., pumps 184, 370, 376, 380, described elsewhere herein) to turn on, off, slow down or speed up, or change the state of any other components (e.g., IFR's 140, adjustable-position flotation tanks 85, FIGS. 107 & 108 ), modify one or more other controllable variables (discussed below), notify the operator of a particular condition, sound an alarm, communicate with one or more internal sensors 178, external sensors 694 (e.g., FIG. 139 ) and/or other components, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Referring back to FIG. 1 , the fluid removal system 158 may deliver the fluid removed from the cargo compartments 60 to one or more desired destinations in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the suction conduit 160 discharges fluid (e.g., water) from the cargo compartments 60 into the body of water 30 via at least one discharge outlet, or opening, 181 (e.g., disposed aft of the rear cargo compartment 64). The discharge outlets 181 may have any suitable form, configuration, location and operation. For example, the discharge opening 181 may be disposed on one or the other side 46, 48 of the vessel 10, both sides 46, 48 or other location(s) around (or spaced away from) the vessel 10 and fluidly communicate with one or more circulation pumps 184 (described below), suction conduits 160 or other components, such as via one or more discharge pipe sections 182. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one discharge pipe section 182 extends laterally from each side of the suction conduit 160 toward a distinct discharge opening 181 on the left or right side 46, 48 of the vessel 10, respectively.

If desired, the fluid removal system 158 may include one or more circulation pumps 184 configured to assist in drawing debris (e.g., and water) into the intake opening(s) 102 of the vessel 10 from the body of water 30, drawing fluid (e.g., sea water) from one or more cargo compartments 60 (e.g., and discharging it off the vessel 10), for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the circulation pump(s) 184 may provide “active” removal of fluid from the cargo compartments 60, such as to expedite the debris recovery operation, eliminate the need to move the vessel 10 through the debris field 36 (e.g., continuously) during debris recovery operations, for any other desired purpose(s) or a combination thereof. A circulation pump 184 that provides suction in and/or removes fluid from one or more cargo compartments 60 may be referred to herein (and other patents and patent applications owned by the Assignee hereof) as a suction pump, discharge pumps, water discharge pump and the like and variations thereof. Thus, the terms “circulation pump”, “discharge pump”, “suction pump” and variations thereof are used interchangeably herein.

The circulation pump 184 may have any suitable form, configuration, location, operation and purpose. In many embodiments, a distinct circulation pump 184 is fluidly coupled to the discharge pipe section(s) 182 on each side of the suction conduit 160 and configured to create suction in the fluid removal system 158 to draw liquid and debris into the vessel 10 from the body of water 30 (e.g., at the inlet opening(s) 102) and from one or more cargo compartments (e.g., through the suction conduit 160 and out the associated discharge opening(s) 181). The circulation pump 184 may, for example, be any suitable (e.g., centrifugal) pump capable of providing sufficient suction on one of its sides to draw debris into the vessel 10 and/or draw water out of one or more cargo compartments 60 (e.g., into the suction conduit 160 and discharge it through the associated discharge opening(s) 181). One commercial example suction pump 184 that may be useful in some embodiments is the Model 3498 double suction pump by Goulds Pumps®.

In other embodiments, the suction pump(s) 184 may be fluidly coupled directly to the suction conduit 160, or directly to the chamber 60 or other area (in which case the suction inlet 164 may be at the pump 184 (e.g., FIG. 52 )). In some cases, one or more banks or any desired configuration of multiple circulation pumps 184 (e.g., two banks of five or six pumps each, or more or less) may be provided, such as to enhance the ability to control fluid removal during debris recovery operations, provide greater flexibility in fluid removal, reduce the potential for negative consequences caused by pump failure during operations, one or more other purposes, or a combination thereof. However, various embodiments may not include any circulation pumps 184 or the circulation pumps 184 may have any other form and configuration or be located off the vessel 10.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , if desired, the fluid removal system 158 may include one or more fluid valves 188 to seal off the suction conduit 160 and/or or other components of the fluid removal system 158. The valve(s) 188 may have any suitable form, configuration, location and operation and purpose. In various embodiments, one or more valves 188 is provided proximate to each discharge opening 181 to seal off the aft end of the suction conduit 160 and related components from the body of water 30 when the fluid removal system 158 is not in operation, during transit and/or after the cargo compartments 60 have been at least partially filled with debris. For example, a valve 188 is shown fluidly coupled to the discharge pipe section 182 between each discharge opening 181 and adjacent circulation pump 184. Any suitable type of fluid valve 188 may be used, such as the Class 123, iron body, gate-type valves having an outside screw and yoke with a rising stem by Crane Co. If desired, the valves 188 may be remotely actuated, such as via an electronic controller or computer-based control system (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ). However, the fluid removal system 158 may include any other desired components, configuration and operation. For example, the fluid removal system 158 may include multiple main suctions conduits 160. For another example, the suction conduit(s) 160 may not extend lengthwise through all the cargo compartments 60 and/or may discharge liquid at one or more intermediate locations on the vessel 10. For still a further example, the suction conduit(s) 160 may deliver the drained liquid to any other desired destination (e.g., into another one or more compartments and/or other container(s) on the vessel 10, or to another vessel, such as via one or more hoses, etc.). In some embodiments, the fluid removal system 158 may only include one or more circulation pumps 184. For yet another example, the fluid removal system 158 may not include any suction conduits 160 (or other components described above) and may remove liquid from only one or any combination of compartments, chambers or other locations on the vessel 10. Thus the location, components and operation of the fluid removal systems 158 are not limiting upon the present patent and its claims or claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the exemplary debris recovery system 58 may include at least one at least partially floating, elongated, boom 190 disposed proximate to the intake opening(s) 102 or front end 42 of the vessel 10. In some embodiments, the boom(s) 190 may be useful, for example, to encourage liquid to flow into the front cargo compartment 62 (or in some embodiments the only chamber 60) from the body of water 30 and, in particular, to ultimately effectively funnel, or corral, the top layer(s) of liquid (e.g., oil and oily water) and/or other floating debris, for entry into the vessel 10. Any desired number, type, configuration and construction of booms 190 may be included, and the boom(s) 190 may have any suitable location and operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the debris recovery system 58 includes first and second elongated booms 192, 194 configured to be movable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. In the stowed position, the exemplary booms 192, 194 are positioned adjacent to the front end 42 of the vessel 10, such as shown in shadow in FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the boom(s) 190 in the stowed position may be positioned at least partially on the front end 42 of the vessel 10, such as atop the recessed front deck 56. In yet other embodiments, the boom(s) 190 may not be stowed on the vessel 10.

In at least one deployed position, the exemplary booms 190 extend angularly outwardly from the vessel 10 away from the front end 42, the first elongated boom 192 being closer to the left side 46 of the vessel 10 and the second elongated boom 194 being closer to the right side 48 of the vessel 10. For example, the booms 192, 194 may extend out into the body of water at an approximate 45 degree angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of the vessel 10. In many embodiments, the deployed positions of the booms 190 are useful to form an overall generally, funnel shape forward of the vessel 10 to allow or encourage floating liquid and debris, to flow or funnel into the front cargo compartment 62 during debris recovery operations. If desired, one or more cables or other connectors may be coupled between each boom 190 and the vessel 10, such as to provide support for the boom 190 in the deployed position(s), maintain the position of the boom 190 in the deployed position, prevent the boom 190 from moving back towards the vessel 10 from the deployed position, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, multiple cables or other connectors may extend between the vessel 10 and each boom 190 at different locations along the length of the boom 190.

The elongated boom(s) 190 may be movable between at least one stowed and at least one deployed position in any suitable manner. Referring to FIGS. 21 & 22 , each exemplary boom 190 may be pivotably engaged with the vessel 10. For example, the boom 190 may be secured to a vertical pipe, or pin, 196, such as with one or more cross pins 197 extending transversely through the boom 190 and vertical pipe 196. The illustrated cross pin 197 allows the concurrent movement of the boom 190 and vertical pin 196. The exemplary vertical pin 196 is rotatable within holes 198 formed in at least one upper bracket 200 and at least one lower bracket 202 extending from, or coupled to, the vessel 10. The vertical pin 196 may be prevented from sliding out of the holes 198 in any suitable manner, such as with upper and lower locking pins 204, 206 extending transversely through the vertical pin 196 above and below the upper and lower brackets 200, 202, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this arrangement for moving the elongated boom(s) 190 between at least one stowed and at least one deployed position. For example, in some embodiments, one or more hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, cables, winches or other components may be used to move booms 190 between stowed and deployed positions. Other embodiments may use one or more booms 190 that are not deployed from or coupled to the vessel 10.

If desired, the boom 190 may be configured to be moveable into and secured in more than one distinct deployed position. This may be desirable, for example, to form a wider or narrow outer reach of multiple booms 190, or any other purpose. Any suitable mechanism(s) may be used to provide multiple distinct deployed positions of the boom(s) 190. For example, the vertical pin 196 may be engaged with a ratchet-like mechanism to secure the boom 190 in multiple deployed positions. If desired, the movement of the boom(s) 190 between at least one stowed and at least one deployed position may be automated and/or automatically controlled, such as with an electronic controller or computer-based control system (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ).

Still referring to FIGS. 21 & 22 , each exemplary elongated boom 190 may be movable vertically relative to the vessel 10 during operations and/or include multiple articulating boom sections 210 to allow the boom 190 to follow or respond to the action of waves in body of water 30, reduce the potentially damaging forces places upon the boom 190 and/or connecting components (e.g., vertical pin 196, locking pins 204, 206, brackets 200, 202) during extreme or near extreme sea conditions, maintain a desired position of the boom 190 in the body of water 30, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. These features may be useful, for example, to enhance the flexibility and capabilities of the vessel 10 and debris recovery system 58 to operate in typical deep sea conditions and not have to wait for the debris field to move close to shore.

Each boom 190 may be vertically moveable relative to the vessel 10 in any suitable manner. For example, the vertical pin 196 may be movable up and down relative to the upper and lower brackets 200, 202 within a desired range of motion. In various embodiments, the vertical pin 196 is movable up and down relative to the upper and lower brackets 200, 202 a desired distance 208. For example, if the distance 208 is approximately three feet (3′), the boom 190 and connected vertical pin 196 may move as much as approximately three feet (3′) up and down relative to the brackets 200, 202 and vessel 10.

Still referring to FIGS. 21 & 22 , each exemplary boom 190 includes multiple, interconnected, articulating boom sections 210 that are moveable relative to one another during debris recovery operations. While the illustrated embodiment includes two articulating boom sections 210, other embodiments may include three, four, five, size or more boom sections 210. The boom sections 210 being moveable relative to one another in any suitable manner. For example, the illustrated boom sections 210 are pivotably coupled together to allow each of them to move up and down relative to one other when the boom 190 is in one or more deployed positions. Adjacent boom sections 110 may be connected with at least one hinge pin 212 extending transversely between them and allowing their relative up and down movement. In other embodiments, the boom sections 210 may also, or instead, be moveable side to side relative to one another.

Still referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 21 & 22 , each exemplary elongated boom 190 may have an overall curved, straight or varied-shaped outer profile. For example, the boom 190 may be formed in a hollow box-beam configuration with one or more top plates 220, bottom plates 221, inner side plates 222, outer side plates 224 and end cap plates 226. If desired, one or more stiffener plates 228 may be provided within the boom 190, such as to add stiffness and structural support to the boom 190. The exemplary stiffener plates 228 are shown extending between the side plates 222, 224, but could also or instead be provided between the top and bottom plates 221 or oriented in a different configuration. The exemplary plates 220, 221, 222 and 224 and stiffener plates 228 are constructed of any suitable material, such as steel. However, the boom 190 may have any other suitable construction.

If desired, one or more flexible, fluidly impermeable covers 230 may be coupled to the boom 190 over the cross pin 197 and/or hinge pin(s) 212. This may be useful in some embodiments, for example, to prevent floating liquid (e.g., oil) and debris, from escaping from inside the funnel area caused by the boom(s) 190 through the boom 190 at the location of the cross pin 197 and hinge pin(s) 212. The flexible cover 230 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction and operation. For example, the flexible covers 230 may be flaps, sheets or other arrangements of heavy, flexible neoprene rubber. In certain embodiments, each flexible cover 230 is coupled to the boom 190 only on one side of the respective cross pin 197 or hinge pin 212 to allow the remainder of the cover 230 to slide relative to the boom 190 during shifting or movement of the boom 190 or articulating section(s) 210 during operations. For example, the cover 230 disposed over the cross pin 197 may be coupled to the boom 190 forward of the cross pin 197, and the cover 230 disposed over each hinge pin 212 may be coupled to the adjacent boom section 210 forward of the hinge pin 212. In other embodiments, the cover 230 may instead be coupled to the boom 190 or other component on both respective sides of the cross pin 197 and/or hinge pins 212. For example, the cover 230 may have a pleated, or accordion-like, configuration and be coupled to both sides of the boom 190 or boom sections 210 so that it gives, or bends along with the boom 190 and/or boom sections 210.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 & 3 , in some embodiments, the vessel 10 may be arranged and ballasted so that its front end 42 and/or the boom(s) 190, if included), are at least partially submerged in sea water during debris recovery operations. In some circumstances, this may be beneficial to provide the desired rate and/or flow of liquid into the cargo compartments 60, encourage the top layer of liquid (e.g., oil) and other floating debris to enter the cargo compartments 60 from the body of water 30 other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, in certain configurations, the vessel 10 may be configured so that when the vessel 10 is submerged to its desired height in the body of water 30 for debris collection (e.g., its load line), the recessed front deck 56 is at least partially submerged and the booms 192, 194 and openings 100 in the front vertical wall 92 are partially submerged so that the top layer(s) on the surface 32 of the body of water 30 can wash across the recessed front deck 56 and flow directly into those openings 100. For example, the vessel 10 may be arranged and ballasted so that the booms 190 and the openings 100 in the front vertical wall 92 are submerged up to approximately ½ their respective heights. Thus, if the booms 190 and the openings 100 in the front vertical wall 92 each have a height of approximately six feet (6′) for example, the vessel 10 may be positioned in the body of water so the boom 190 and openings 100 are each submerged approximately three feet (3′). However, any other desired arrangement may be used.

An exemplary method of removing debris from a body of water 30 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. Referring to FIGS. 1 & 2 , the cargo compartments 60 of the exemplary debris recovery vessel 10 are initially at least substantially filled with water in any suitable manner. If desired, the cargo compartments 60 may be flooded with sea water 38 before the vessel reaches the debris field 36. For example, all the gates 110 could be moved into a fully open position to allow the cargo compartments 60 to free-flood with sea water 38. Also, if desired, the free-flooding of the cargo compartments 60 could be performed during the forward movement of the vessel 10 in the direction of arrow 16 (FIG. 2 ), such as to flood, or assist in expediting flooding of, the compartments 60. Preferably, the valves 174 are closed during free-flooding of the cargo compartments 60. However, it may be possible to temporarily open the valves 174 and even turn on one or more circulation pumps 184 to fill the compartments 60 with sea water. The vessel 10 may be arranged and ballasted so that flooding the cargo compartments 60 will submerge the vessel 10 to a desired height in the body of water 30 for debris collection (e.g., its load line), such as described elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, after the exemplary cargo compartments 60 are at least substantially filled with water, the vessel 10 may be moved to the debris field 36. In other instances, the vessel 10 may be delivered (e.g., dropped by crane) to the debris collection area 30 with cargo compartment(s) 60 empty or not substantially filled with water. At the desired location, one or more exemplary booms 190, when included, may be moved to a deployed position, such as described above. However, the boom(s) 190 may be moved into a deployed position at an earlier or later time.

Still referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 & 2 , once at the debris field 36 or debris collection area 30, while all of the exemplary gates 110 are in an open position, sea water is removed from the rear cargo compartment 64. For example, one or more of the valves 188 may be opened and all of the valves 174, except those in the rear cargo compartment 64, are closed. The exemplary valves 174 in the rear cargo compartment 64 may be opened to remove sea water from the lower end 76 of the rear cargo compartment 64 (e.g., into the suction conduit 160 and out one or more discharge openings 181 in the path of arrows 240 (FIG. 2 )). If desired, one or more circulation pumps 184 may be turned on, such as to provide active suction and pumping of the sea water off the vessel 10.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 & 2 , as sea water is removed from the lower end 76 of the exemplary rear cargo compartment 64, debris (typically with sea water) is simultaneously drawn into (e.g., by suction of the circulation pump(s) 184) or enters the front cargo compartment 62 through the openings 100 in the front vertical wall 92. Although it is impossible to forecast the actual makeup of the liquid entering those openings 100 at any specific point in time, the exemplary debris recovery system 58 is configured so that primarily the debris and liquid on and near the surface 32 of the body of water 30 (e.g., oil and some oily water) should enter the front cargo compartment 62, as shown by flow arrow 242 in FIGS. 2 & 11 .

Since the exemplary intermediate cargo compartments 66, 68, 70 and 72 are substantially full of sea water, as the lower end 76 of the rear cargo compartment 64 is being emptied of sea water, the upper layer(s) of liquid (e.g., oil and some oily water) and other floating debris 40 entering the front cargo compartment 62 is preferably drawn across the surface of the sea water in the intermediate cargo compartments 66, 68, 70 and 72 through the openings 100 in each successive vertical wall 90 and ultimately into the rear cargo compartment 64, such as shown with flow arrows 244 in FIG. 12 . If one or more exemplary wave dampeners 140 (e.g., FIGS. 11 & 13 ) are included in one or more of the cargo compartments 60, the wave dampener(s) 140 may assist in encouraging primarily floating debris to enter the chamber 60 through one or more openings 100 (e.g., in the front and subsequent cargo compartments 62, 66, 68, 72 and 64), reduce wave action and turbulence of liquid entering each compartment 60, help maintain a steady flow of liquid through the openings 100 other desired purpose(s) or a combination thereof. As sea water continues to be drawn down through the exemplary rear cargo compartment 64, it is expected that at least some of the oil (and/or other debris) in the water therein will separate and float on top of the sea water, further separating the debris from the sea water therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 & 14 , when substantially all of the sea water in the exemplary rear cargo compartment 64 is removed, that compartment 64 is fluidly isolated as desired. For example, the compartment 64 may be fluidly isolated from the fluid removal system 158 and the other compartments 60, such as by closing the valves 174 in the cargo compartment 64 and the gate(s) 110 associated with the openings 100 that lead into that compartment 64. In some embodiments, the cargo compartment 64 may be fluidly isolated when it is substantially full of debris. For example, this may occur when one or more internal sensors 178, such as the oily water sensors 180 (e.g., FIG. 20 ), indicate the presence of some or a particular amount of debris in the exiting sea water (e.g., at one or more particular locations).

In many embodiments, to continue the debris recovery operations, the above process as performed with respect to the rear cargo compartment 64 can be repeated for each successive aft-most chamber 60. For example, referring to FIG. 14 , the valve(s) 174 in the next cargo compartment 72 may be opened to allow sea water to be removed from the lower end 76 of that compartment 72 in the path of arrows 240. Substantially simultaneously, principally floating debris some water preferably enters into the upper end 74 of, and fills, that cargo compartment 72, such as shown with flow arrows 244. When substantially all sea water in that exemplary cargo compartment 72 is removed (e.g., FIG. 15 ), that compartment 72 may be fluidly isolated. For example, the compartment 72 may be fluidly isolated at least from the remaining forward cargo compartments 60 which still contain sea water, or fluidly isolated similarly as described above with respect to cargo compartment 64, such as by closing the valves 174 in that cargo compartment 72 and the gate(s) 110 associated with the openings 100 that lead into that compartment 72.

If desired, the above exemplary process may then be repeated for cargo compartment 70 (e.g., FIGS. 15 & 16 ) by opening the valves 174 therein to allow sea water to be removed from the lower end 76 of that compartment 70 in the path of arrows 240. Substantially simultaneously, principally debris and some water preferably enter into the upper end 74 of, and fills, that cargo compartment 70, such as shown with flow arrows 244 (FIG. 15 ). When substantially all sea water in that cargo compartment 70 is removed (FIG. 16 ), it may be fluidly isolated, such as described above. The above process may then be repeated for cargo compartment 68 (e.g., FIGS. 16 & 17 ), then cargo compartment 66 (e.g., FIGS. 17 & 18 ) and finally cargo compartment 62 (e.g., FIG. 18 ). If desired, one or more cargo compartments 60 may be skipped in the process by fluidly isolating that compartment 60 (and the other more rearward cargo compartments 60), such as described above. If debris collection continues, when substantially all sea water in the exemplary front cargo compartment 62 is removed, it may be fluidly isolated, such as described above. It should be noted that the above process can be used with embodiments having any number (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.), form and configuration of cargo compartments 60. Thus, the methods of debris recovery of present disclosure are not limited by the number, form and configuration of cargo compartments 60.

In accordance with many embodiments, debris 34 is separated from sea water 38 and collected as it moves across, or is collected in, the vessel 10 and/or as sea water 38 is discharged from the vessel 10 so that large amounts of floating debris (e.g., oil) may be relatively quickly collected and removed from practically any body of water 30. Debris 34 can thus be separated from sea water 38 and collected as it moves across or in the vessel 10 and/or as sea water 38 is discharged from the vessel 10 so that large amounts of floating debris (e.g., oil) may be relatively quickly collected and removed from practically any body of water 30.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 & 2 , as the exemplary cargo compartments 60 are being emptied of sea water and at least partially filled with debris, if desired, liquid may be added to or removed from one or more of the other compartments 80, 84, 86, 88 in the vessel 10, such as to maintain the desired height of the vessel 10 in the body of water 30 (e.g., for debris collection). For example, sea water may be added to and removed from one or more of the ballast tanks 80 on either, or both sides, of the vessel 10 as needed throughout the above debris recovery operations to maintain or refine the height of the vessel 10 in the body of water 30.

In some situations, the vessel 10 may be moved in a forward direction (e.g., arrow 16, FIG. 2 ) through the debris field 36 at any desired speed, or at varying speeds, throughout, or at certain times, during the debris recovery operations. This may be desirable, for example, for strategic positioning of the front end 42 of the vessel 10 relative to the debris field or oil spill area 36 (e.g., like moving a vacuum cleaner over a dirty rug) as the circulation pump(s) 184 actively move liquid through the fluid removal system 158 as described above, to urge or assist in directing preferably floating debris and some water into the front cargo compartment 62 and through the other compartments 60, thus enhancing the active flow action caused by the circulation pump(s) 184, to cause the passive flow of liquid through the fluid removal system 158 when the circulation pumps 184 are not used, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the vessel 10 may be eased through the debris field 36 in the forward direction at a steady, slow speed during debris recovery operations. However, forward movement of the vessel is not necessary in all embodiments.

Also, during the debris recovery operations, if desired, the position of one or more of the exemplary open gates 110 may be varied as needed to affect or control the flow of liquid into the cargo compartments 60. For example, one or more of the gates 110 may be moved into one or another partially open position, such as to provide the optimal flow rate and/or liquid content (e.g., primarily oil or other floating debris) of the flowing liquid. If desired, the height of any of the open gates 110 relative to their associated openings 100 may be dynamically adjusted during debris recovery operations, such as via an electronic controller or computer-based control system (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ). One or more variables, such as the weight, density and viscosity of the oil and/or other debris, substances or material in the sea water, may affect and be considered in varying the position of one or more gates 110 to achieve a desired flow rate and/or content of the liquid passing through the openings 100.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 & 2 , when debris recovery operations are completed, the exemplary fluid removal system 158 and all the cargo compartments 60 may be fluidly isolated from the body of water 30. For example, all the gates 110 and all valves 174, 188 may be closed and the circulation pumps 184 turned off. If desired, all the gates 110 and/or cargo compartments may be substantially sealed. In some embodiments, all the gates 110 and/or cargo compartments may be completely (100%) sealed. The exemplary elongated boom(s) 190 may be moved to a stowed position and the vessel 10 transported to a desired location for offloading the contents (preferably primarily debris) in the cargo compartments 60. If desired, one or more other compartments on the vessel, such as the ballast tanks 80, may be emptied, such as to raise the height of the vessel 10 in the body of water 30 as it leaves the debris field 36. This may be desirable, for example, to minimize further debris (e.g., oil) contamination of the exterior surface of the side shell of the vessel 10 and/or allow cleaning/removal of any debris (e.g., oil) adhered thereto.

The contents of the exemplary cargo compartments 60 may be offloaded in any suitable manner. For example, the contents of the cargo compartments 60 may be offloaded to containers on one or more other vessels or onshore. In some embodiments, the debris (and some water) may be offloaded through the openings 100 or other openings (not shown) in the cargo compartments 60, such as via one or more hoses or other components. In other embodiments, the debris (and some water) may be offloaded through the debris recovery system 58 (e.g., the fluid removal system 158). If desired, the tug 14 used with a first exemplary vessel 10 as described above may be used to take a second similar vessel 10 to the debris field 36 to recover debris while the first vessel 10 is being offloaded, and so on.

It should be noted that variations of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-22 may include more, fewer or different components, features and capabilities as those described or shown herein. Further, any of the details, features, components, variations and capabilities of other embodiments discussed or shown in this patent or as may be apparent from the description and drawings hereof, are applicable to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-22 , except and only to the extent they may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-22 . Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided in this patent with respect to the other embodiments or as may be shown in the appended drawings relating thereto or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-22 .

Referring now to FIGS. 23-40 , the debris recovery system 58 of the vessel 10 (e.g., barge 12) may include a single chamber 60 (e.g., front cargo compartment 62). As shown in FIG. 24 , one exemplary opening 100 (e.g., intake opening 102) is provided in or proximate to the front bulkhead 92 to allow water and debris to enter the exemplary chamber 60 from the body of water 30. In this instance, the intake opening 102 is shown extending upwardly from the recessed front deck 56 with no upper boundary and generally across the width of the chamber 60. Thus, the upper end 74 of the exemplary chamber 60 at the front end 42 of the vessel 10 is essentially open to allow debris 34 and probably some water 38 to wash, or flow, from the body of water 30 across or over the recessed front deck 56 and into the chamber 60. However, the debris recovery system 58 may instead include more than one chamber 60 and/or intake opening 102, and the intake opening(s) 102 may have any other desired configuration and location(s).

To illustrate that the debris recovery system 58 may be configured to recover a wide (potentially unlimited) variety and size of debris, the debris shown being recovered includes both small-sized and large-sized debris 40, 41. Thus, the debris recovery system 58 is not limited by type of debris or contaminants being collected, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

As shown in FIGS. 23 & 25 , the exemplary debris recovery system 58 includes a fluid removal system 158 configured to allow the drainage of sea water 38 from the chamber 60 (e.g., at its lower end 76) and, at the same time, to draw in debris (and often some water) from the body of water 30 to at least partially fill the chamber 60, such as described elsewhere herein. In this embodiment, the fluid removal system 158 is shown including two sets of suction conduits 160 drawing water from the same (e.g., single) chamber 60, along with associated circulation pumps 184 (having one or more associated motors 186, such as hydraulic motors driven by a diesel engine), discharge pipe sections 182, discharge openings 181, valves and other components such described elsewhere herein. However, any other arrangement of parts could be used (e.g., only one, more than two or no suction conduits 160).

Referring to FIGS. 23-25 , during use of the exemplary debris recovery system 58, at least one circulation pump 184 will create suction to concurrently (i) draw debris (and probably some water) from the body of water 30, through the intake opening 102, over the IFR(s) 140 (when included) and into the chamber 60 and (ii) draw water 38 from the chamber 60 into the associated suction conduit(s) 160 (e.g., and eject it from the vessel 10). When IFRs 140 are included, the suction created by the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 may at least slightly lower the liquid level rearward of the IFR 140 relative to the liquid level forward of the IFR 140 causing the liquid forward of the IFR 140 to move rearward, typically increasing the volume and cascading movement (rushing) of various types of small-sized debris over the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 and utilizing any cohesive properties (intermolecular attractive forces) of the debris (e.g., oil) to rapidly draw the debris in (e.g., capturing all or virtually all of the debris 34 in the debris field 36).

Generally, in many embodiments, the less water 38 that is drawn into the debris recovery system 58 from the body of water 30 during debris collection operations in a debris field 36, the quicker and greater the volume of the debris 34 that can be ingested, along with other potential benefits, such as less emulsification, more space onboard for debris, more efficient, effective, extensive and quicker debris collection. Likewise, the more debris 34 that is taken in from the body of water 30 can often provide any or all the same benefits. These objective can often be achieved, for example, by limiting inflow from the body of water 30 to the uppermost layer(s) of the body of water 30 (where the floating debris resides) as much as possible.

Referring to FIG. 23 , in accordance with an independent aspect of the present disclosure, one way to help regulate or limit ingestion to the uppermost layer(s) of the body of water 30 (where the debris is) may be to spread-out the intake surface area via a long front edge(s) 142 of the IFR(s) 140 and/or or long intake opening(s) 102. For example, the front edge(s) 142 of the IFR(s) 140 and/or length of the intake opening(s) may extending at least substantially across the entire width of the chamber 60, inflow chamber 310 or other area of the vessel (or to some desired lesser extent). In some instances, expanding, or spreading out, the intake surface area during debris recovery can effectively spread out, and thus generally decrease, the pulling forces of the suction pressure of the system 58 along the intake. Reducing the pulling forces at any point can reduce the depth or thickness of water/debris being sucked in from the body of water 30 at each point, often resulting in less water drawn in (e.g., when the top layer(s) is mostly or all debris). At the same time, spreading the intake across a wider or longer area may expand the reach for ingesting more of the top layers (e.g., mostly debris), helping optimize debris recovery.

Referring to FIGS. 23 & 24 , another feature to potentially help regulate or limit ingestion to the uppermost layer(s) of the body of water 30 is by providing a continuous and/or consistent front edge 142 of the IFR(s) 140 across an intake opening 102 (or continuous and/or consistent front edge of the intake opening 102 when no IFRs 140 are included). Continuity and consistency in such front edge(s) may remove at least some variability in the rate and volume (and thus depth and makeup) of water/debris that flows thereover. For example, in some instances, a single IFR 140 extending across an entire intake opening 102 (e.g., from wall to wall) can provide one continuous and consistent front edge 142, whereas the inclusion of one or more gaps between the IFR(s) 140 and any side wall(s), or two adjacent, side-by-side IFRs 140 each extending across part of the width of the intake opening 102, may provide undesirable variability in the rate and volume (depth and makeup) of the intake. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the use of a single IFR 140 (e.g., extending wall to wall) across an intake opening 102 can help optimize debris recovery. These features (of this and the preceding paragraph, independently and collectively) are sometimes referred to herein as “inflow optimization” and can be applied, as desired, to any embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-25 , the debris recovery system 58 may include a single at least partially buoyant IFR 140 configured to be positionable to at least substantially (i) regulate, or limit, the inflow of debris (and typically some water) into the chamber 60 from the body of water 30 to that debris (and maybe some water) which is disposed at or near the surface 32 of the body of water 30 and which passes through the intake opening 102 over the IFR 140 during use of the debris recovery system 58, (ii) dampen or reduce the size of, or turbulence caused by, waves in the liquid passing through the opening(s) 100, (iii) maintain a steady flow of debris/water through the opening(s) 100, (iv) take advantage of the cohesive properties (intermolecular attractive forces) of the debris (e.g., oil) to rapidly draw in all or virtually all of the debris in the debris field, (v) for any other desired purpose(s) or (vi) a combination thereof. In other embodiments, more than one IFR 140 may be used (e.g., side-by-side and/or one forward of another or any other configuration) to achieve the same or different objectives.

Referring to FIG. 29 , in another aspect, the exemplary IFR 140 may be configured to at least substantially regulate, or limit, inflow into the chamber 60 to debris (and water) that passes over the IFR 140 and disposed at or near (or comes from) the surface 32 of the body of water 30 by providing resistance to the water/debris passing through the opening 100, constraining the amount of water/debris able to pass into the compartment 60 to the top layer(s) (e.g., the least dense or most buoyant liquid/debris) moving through the intake opening 102. This is sometimes referred to herein and in the appended claims as the “intake resistance”, “ability to constrain the inflow of fluid/debris into the cargo compartment(s) 60” and variations thereof.

In many embodiments, the (e.g., ideal) intake resistance and/or suction of one or more circulation pumps 184 may cause debris (e.g., oil) to rush or cascade over the front edge 142 of the exemplary IFR 140 and into the chamber 60. In the case of oil and other debris with similar relevant properties, the exemplary IFR 140 may be configured to benefit from the cohesive property (intermolecular attractive forces) of the debris and/or overcome the adhesion of water and debris, facilitating or encouraging the inflow (and even increased velocity) of mostly, or all, debris and little water. By analogy, the exemplary IFR 140 may be used to act similarly as holding a ladle, or spoon, on the surface of soup having a layer of oil or grease on top and applying downward pressure sufficient to cause or allow (up to the entire volume of) oil or grease to rush or cascade into the ladle or spoon (referred to sometimes herein as the “ladle effect”). In such instances, as small-sized debris is drawn into the exemplary vessel 10, due to the cohesive property of the debris (e.g., oil), the debris passing over the IFR 140 may effectively pull the surrounding debris across the surface 32 of the body of water 30 into the vessel 10 (e.g., potentially pulling an entire congruous area or volume of debris into the vessel 10).

Still referring to FIG. 29 , when the debris 40 on the surface 32 of the body of water 30 is thin, even as thin as just a sheen, the exemplary IFR 140 may be positioned to cause a very thin layer to pass over the front edge 142 thereof, increasing the volume and cascading movement (rushing, ladle effect) of the debris as it falls over the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 (e.g., due to the cohesive nature of the small-sized debris and conditions caused by the suction of the circulation pump(s) 184 of at least slightly lowering the water level rearward of the IFR(s) 140 below the water level forward of the IFR(s) 140), which may accelerate the recovery of the small-sized debris and the amount of debris recovered. In fact, the use of the exemplary debris recovery system 58 may result in recovery of substantially all the small-sized debris on or near the surface of the body of water in the subject debris field(s) 36 or debris collection area 30.

Referring back to FIG. 25 , in another aspect of many embodiments, the debris recovery system 58 will not at least substantially mix or emulsify the incoming debris and water (e.g., due to the intake resistance and/or wave dampening effect caused by the IFR 140, utilizing one or more controllable variables, provide and/or maintain a liquid-sealed system, such as described below, or other factors), allowing the debris to rise above the water in the chamber 60. Often, the exemplary chamber 60 will contain a defined layer of debris on top of the water and may include an intermediate layer of mixed debris and water.

With various embodiments of the present disclosure, on-board separation of debris and water may be easy, achievable and not overly onerous or time-consuming, allow substantial volumes of (acceptably clean) water to be discharged from vessel 10 (e.g., to the environment) and thus free up more on-board space for debris, allow the ultimate waste collected to have a high ratio of debris to water (e.g., 95 or more parts debris to 1 part water), other benefits or a combination thereof. For example, the less water that is ultimately included with the collected debris (collectively, the “waste”), (i) the more space will be available for collecting and storing the waste, and (ii) the less waste that needs to be stored, transported and dealt with, freeing up more space, effort and expense in storing, handling and treating debris.

Now referring back to FIG. 23 , depending on the particular type and conditions of use of the exemplary debris recovery system 58, the rate of inflow and volume of incoming debris (and some water), the debris-water ratio entering the vessel 10 and/or the position, movement and/or intake resistance of each IFR 140 (if included), may be regulated and varied as desired by selectively controlling one or more “controllable” variables. Some potential examples of controllable variables are the (i) height, width and length of the chamber 60 and/or trunk(s) 372 (e.g., FIGS. 96, 101, 104, 137 ), which can be predesigned or selectively adjustable (e.g., with one or more removable portions, such as the extension 662, FIG. 131 ), (ii) direction and speed of movement of the vessel 10, (iii) buoyancy of one or more IFRs 140 and/or use of one or more IFR variable buoyancy mechanisms (such as described below), (iv) activity, such as the amount of suction, within the chamber 60 or other part of the vessel (e.g., varying suction with the use of one or more variable speed circulation pumps 184 and/or multiple circulation pumps 184, manipulating one or more of valves (e.g., valves 174, 188) in the fluid removal system 158), (v) off-loading of debris from the vessel 10 (e.g., through one or more debris pumps 380, FIG. 41, 52, 85, 104, 138 ), or a combination thereof. Depending upon the particular embodiment of the debris recovery system 58 and conditions of use thereof, any one or more of the controllable variables may be evaluated and/or varied as desired (e.g., in real-time, on an ongoing basis, automated with the use of one or more electronic controllers (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 )).

Jumping briefly to FIGS. 110 & 111 , in certain embodiments, selectively varying the cross-sectional surface area of one or more portions of the flow path of debris between the intake opening(s) 102 and collection chamber 60 (and/or circulation pump inlet 164) may be a controllable variable. This may be desirable in some situations, to increase or decrease the velocity of incoming debris 34 and/or for any other purposes. For example, when incoming debris particles are heavier or larger (e.g., beads) than floating oil or other liquids or substances, it may be beneficial to increase velocity to help them make it to the chamber 60 (e.g., without stopping or clogging-up along the way).

The cross-sectional surface area of one or more portions of the flow path of debris 34 between the intake opening(s) 102 and collection chamber 60 (and/or circulation pump inlet 164) may be varied in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished when an inflow tunnel 312 (e.g., through which all incoming debris and typically some water must pass) extends at least partially between the intake opening(s) 102 and cargo compartment(s) 60. In the illustrated vessel 10, incoming debris (and possibly also water) passes from the body of water 30, through the intake opening 102, down through the inflow tunnel 312, then through the passageway 100 and into the chamber 60. The exemplary inflow tunnel 312 can also be characterized as the inflow chamber 310, but it could be in, or part of, the inflow chamber 310, passageway(s) 100 or other area. Thus, other than being located at least partially between the intake opening(s) 102 and cargo compartment(s) 60, the precise nature, form and location of inflow tunnel 312 is not limiting upon the present disclosure, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Still referring to FIGS. 110 & 111 , the cross-sectional surface area of one or more portions of the inflow tunnel 312 (or other area) may be selectively varied, for example, by at least partially varying the width of the tunnel 312 along at least part of the tunnel 312. Narrowing at least part of a width of the tunnel 312, or choking down the size of the tunnel 312, may typically increase the velocity of incoming debris 34, whereas expanding the tunnel width may decrease velocity.

The width of at least part of the inflow tunnel 312 can be varied in any suitable manner. For the reader's convenience, the width of the tunnel 312 extending between front and rear tunnel walls 313, 314 (e.g., vertical wall 90) is referred to herein as the front-to-rear width 315 (FIG. 114 ) and the width 323 between side walls 329 is referred to herein as the longwise-width 323 (FIG. 109 ). Examples will now be described with respect to the front-to-rear width 315, but could apply similarly to the longwise-width 323. For one example, at least one of the front and rear walls 313, 314 or one or more components associated therewith (e.g., bladders, accordion-portions), may be selectively expandable and retractable in the tunnel 312 to vary the width 315. For another example, one side of the front and/or rear tunnel wall 313, 314 may have one or more protrusions and the wall 313, 314 may be reversible. Upon reversing such wall 313 and/or 314, when facing the side with the protrusion(s) into the tunnel 312, the protrusions will occupy space in the tunnel 312 not occupied when the other side faced into the tunnel 312. For yet further examples, one or both walls 313, 314 may be selective moveable into and out of the width 315 to narrow and widen the tunnel 312, or may be entirely switched out with a replacement wall 313, 314 having a different thickness.

Referring again to FIGS. 110 & 111 , for still another example, one or more spacers 324 may be selectively provided into and removed from the inflow tunnel 312 to vary its width. The spacer(s) 324 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction, components and operation. In some embodiments, the spacer 324 may be a block of material(s) that is neutrally-buoyant so it does not affect the attitude, position or buoyancy of the vessel 10. For another example, the spacer 324 may be constructed of aluminum and/or any other suitable material.

Likewise, the spacer(s) 324 may have any desired size (e.g., length, width and thickness) and location. For example, the spacers 324 may extend across substantially the entire length 327 (FIG. 114 ) and longwise-width 323 of the inflow tunnel 312 (FIG. 109 ) or some lesser amount. In the embodiment of FIGS. 110 & 111 , the spacers 324 extend across the entire longwise-width of the inflow tunnel 213 and most of its length 327. If desired, different sized spacers 324 may be available to provide different options. For example, a first spacer 324 a may have a first thickness 326 a (e.g., 2″) and a second spacer 324 b a different thickness 326 b (e.g., 3″). However, the spacers 324 may have any other thickness (e.g., 1″, 4″, etc.) and other dimensions. In some instances, the spacer 324 may have one or more tapered ends 325, such as to assist in providing the desired flow of incoming debris (and some water), avoid contact with the IFR 140 or other components, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Still referring again to FIGS. 110 & 111 , the spacers 324, when included, may be provided in the inflow tunnel 312 (or other area in the vessel 10) in any suitable manner. For example, the spacers 324 may have a mateable connection (e.g., snaps, sliding connectors) with one or both walls 313, 314 or be clipped, hung or otherwise removably engaged (e.g., pins, bolts, etc.) therewith. Thus, the mechanisms and techniques for providing the spacers 324 in the inflow tunnel 312 (or other location) are not limiting upon the present disclosure, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Now back to FIG. 23 , one or more “non-controllable” variables that can influence the rate of inflow or volume of incoming debris (and some water) and the debris-water ratio entering the chamber 60 or other part of the vessel 10 and/or the position (and movement) of each IFR 140 and its intake resistance may be factored in (e.g., in real-time, on an ongoing basis, automated with the use of one or more electronic controllers, etc.) when deciding on the manipulation or use of one or more controllable variables. Some potential examples of non-controllable variables include environmental factors (e.g., wind, rain, wave action, sea conditions, etc.), the type or nature (e.g., density, viscosity) of liquid in the body of water 30 and/or the chamber 60 (e.g., fresh verses salt water) and the type, thickness, composition and depth of the debris 34 in the body of water 30, as well as the size or varying sizes of debris 34 at the debris field 36 or debris collection area 30, all of which may be changing on occasion or on an ongoing basis during operations.

Referring again to FIGS. 23-26 , in another aspect and as mentioned above, the IFR 140, when included, may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. Some examples of IFRs 140 are a “pivoting”-type IFR (e.g., FIGS. 23-34, 40-46 ) and a “sliding”-type IFR (e.g., FIGS. 35-39 ). In this and other embodiments, the IFR 140 is an at least partially buoyant, pivoting-type IFR 140, extends into the chamber 60 across the width of the chamber 60 and is pivotable relative to the vessel 10. For example, the pivoting-type IFR 140 may be pivotably coupled to the vessel 10 proximate to the front end 42 thereof. Referring specifically to FIG. 26 , the pivoting-type IFR 140, at or near its rear end 140 a, may be pivotably coupled to the bulkhead 92, front recessed deck 56 or other portion(s) or component(s) of the vessel 10. The exemplary pivoting-type IFR 140 is thus pivotable relative to the level, or surface, 172 of adjacent liquid/debris in the vessel 10 (e.g., chamber 60), as indicated with arrows 78.

In this embodiment, as well as other embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 46, 55, 62, 98, 105, 114 ), the debris recovery system 58 is designed so that the rear end 140 a of the pivoting-type IFR 140 will be below the surface 32 of the body of water 30 and the surface of debris/water entering the intake opening(s) 102 60 during debris recovery. It should be noted, however, that the pivoting-type IFR 140 may be positioned so that its rear end 140 a is not below the surface 32 of the body of water 30 or the surface of debris/water entering the chamber 60, and may be coupled to the vessel 10 in any other desired manner (e.g., not across the entire width of the chamber 60 or other part of the vessel 10) and location.

Still referring to FIG. 26 , the front end 140 b of the illustrated pivoting-type IFR 140 is typically free-moving up and down (e.g., in the chamber 60, arrows 78, see also, FIGS. 34, 41, 52, 55, 62, 96, 99, 137 ). In various figures, exemplary pivoting-type IFRs 140 are shown in multiple potential positions (e.g., FIGS. 25, 30, 35, 38 ). Furthermore, the pivoting-type IFR 140 is typically sufficiently buoyant so that its front end 140 b can float at or near the internal waterline, or surface, 172 of adjacent water/debris in the vessel 10 (e.g., collection chamber 60, inflow chamber 310 (e.g., FIGS. 46, 74, 98, 106 )) during use of the debris recovery system 58.

Referring now to FIGS. 27 & 28 , the pivoting-type IFR 140 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, construction and operation. For example, the carrier 146 of the IFR 140 may include at least one flat, rigid plate 150 and the float 144 may include at least one buoyancy chamber 152 coupled to the plate 150, such as by welding, connectors (e.g., bolts), etc., proximate to the front end 140 b of the IFR 140 to provide the desired buoyancy of the IFR 140 or at another desired location. The plate 150 and buoyancy chamber 152 may be constructed of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel), wood, plastic, any other suitable material or combination thereof. If desired, the carrier 146 may include multiple plates 150, one or more support or frame members (e.g., to provide desired rigidity, sturdiness, durability, etc.), or may be semi-rigid, flexible or pliable, perforated, non-flat, convex or concave or have any other form, configuration and components. The IFR 140 may include multiple side-by-side adjacent sections (e.g., two or more sets of carriers 146 and corresponding floats 144), such as to accommodate or provide flexibility in response to side-by-side rocking or rolling of the vessel 10 and/or for any other purposes.

In some embodiments, the pivoting-type IFR 140 may not include any separate floats 144 (e.g., buoyancy chambers 152) and any other suitable component(s) may be included to provide the desired buoyancy of the IFR 140. For example, the carrier 146 may include one or more buoyancy sections, cavities or chambers, and may be at least partially inflatable. For another example, the IFR 140 (e.g., carrier 146) may include foam or other material with flotation properties to provide the desired buoyancy or uplift of the front end 140 b or other portion thereof. For yet another example, the IFR 140 may be, or include, one or more bladder bags coupled to the vessel 10 proximate to the front end 42 thereof and configured to provide the desired intake resistance. If desired, the bladder bag(s) may be fixed buoyancy or variable buoyancy (e.g., similarly as described below).

Still referring to FIGS. 27 & 28 , the exemplary carrier 146 includes one or more seal members 155 or other components to provide or encourage at least substantial sealing engagement of the pivoting-type IFR 140 with the chamber 60 during use of the debris recovery system 58. The seal members 155 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. For example, the seal members 155 may include one or more elongated gaskets 156 coupled to the carrier 146 (e.g., with connectors (e.g., bolts), epoxy or other glue, opposing mating portions, by friction fit, or a combination thereof) extending along the side edges 146 a, 146 b of the carrier 146 to sealingly engage the interior opposing side walls 82 (e.g., FIGS. 24, 31 ) of the chamber 60 or one or more other components adjacent thereto during use of the debris recovery system 58.

One or more seal members 155 (e.g., elongated gaskets 156) may also extend along the front edge 146 c of the carrier 146 (see also FIGS. 31, 38 ). This may be useful, for example, to at least substantially sealingly engage the IFR 140 with the underside of the top deck 54 or other component(s) on the vessel 10 to at least substantially prevent the loss of liquid/debris from the chamber 60 through the opening(s) 100 before or after debris recovery operations, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

If desired, one or more seal members 155 (e.g., elongated gaskets 156) may be provided along the rear edge 146 d of the exemplary carrier 146, such as to at least substantially seal any gap between the IFR 140 and the bulkhead 92 or other component, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. One or more seal members 155 may instead or additionally be provided on the bulkhead 92, side wall(s) 82 of the chamber 60 or other components of the vessel 10 to at least substantially sealing engage the IFR 140, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. However, other embodiments may include fewer or no seal members 155 or different variations of sealing components.

Referring again to FIGS. 27 & 28 , the exemplary pivoting-type IFR 140 may be pivotably coupled to the vessel 10 in any suitable manner. In this example, the carrier 146 includes multiple receivers 162 (e.g., pipe sections) at or proximate to the rear end 140 a of the IFR 140 that fit and freely rotate over one or more hinge pins 148 anchored to the vessel 10 (e.g., the front recessed deck 56 (e.g., FIG. 26 ) or adjacent component(s)). However, any other suitable components may be used to provide the desired pivotable movement of the pivoting-type IFR 140 relative to the vessel 10. For example, the pivoting-type IFR 140 may instead include one or more pivot pins pivotably engaged with the vessel 10, or a different variation of corresponding pivotably mating portions or structures may be provided on the IFR 140 and vessel 10.

Still referring to FIGS. 27 & 28 , the buoyancy chamber 152, when included, may have any desired form, configuration, construction and operation. The exemplary buoyancy chamber 152 includes at least one cavity provided therein for containing air (and/or other gases or buoyant material/liquid) so that it floats on liquid. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “air” and variations thereof are meant to include any type and combination of gas(es) and air. The illustrated buoyancy chamber 152 is shown coupled to the plate 150 proximate to the front end 140 b of the IFR 140 and extends across almost the entire width of the carrier 146 to provide the desired buoyancy of the IFR 140, intake resistance, for any other suitable purpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, the location of the buoyancy chamber 152 proximate to the front end 140 b of the IFR 140 may be farthest from the pivot mechanism(s) at the rear end 140 a, such as to provide the greatest leverage advantage for the IFR 140 (see e.g., FIG. 26 ) other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. It should be noted that the buoyancy chamber 152 may be coupled to the carrier 146 or IFR 140 in any other suitable manner, at a different location on the carrier 146 and have any other desirable configuration, components and operation, and/or multiple buoyancy chambers 152 may be included to provide the desired buoyancy, movement, positioning and/or intake resistance of the IFR 140, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

Referring again to FIGS. 23-29 , the illustrated pivoting-type IFR 140 is an example of a “fixed-buoyancy” IFR 140 because it does not possess any mechanisms for varying the buoyancy thereof. Accordingly, the internal cavity(ies) of the exemplary buoyancy chamber 152 is/are sized to hold sufficient air to provide the desired buoyancy of the exemplary pivoting-type IFR 140. For example, referring to FIG. 26 , the buoyancy chamber 152 may be sized and situated to position the pivoting-type IFR 140 so that the front edge 142 thereof will be above the surface 172 of the adjacent water and/or debris in the vessel 10 (e.g., within the chamber 60) in a “rest” or “non-operating” position (e.g., when no suction is provided in the chamber 60) after the chamber 60 has been filled with water and before the start of debris recovery operations. FIG. 26 thus reflects an exemplary “rest” position (see also FIGS. 32, 35 ).

For another example, referring to FIG. 29 , the buoyancy chamber 152 may be sized and situated to position the pivoting-type IFR 140 so that the front edge 142 thereof will be below the surface 172 of the water and/or debris in the chamber 60 during debris recovery operations as the vessel 10 moves forward and/or suction (e.g., via circulation pump(s) 184) has commenced in the chamber 60. The position of the exemplary pivoting-type IFR 140 in FIG. 29 thus reflects an exemplary ideal operating position to provide the desired intake resistance (see also FIGS. 33-34 ). In at least one operating position of the illustrated IFR 140, the debris 34 (e.g., oil) may ideally cascade, or rush, over the front edge 142 thereof and rise in (and, in some cases, fill) the chamber 60 as water 38 is being removed therefrom (see also FIGS. 33-34, 46, 74, 106 ).

In various embodiments, the position of the IFR 140 often may tend to remain relatively static during debris recovery operations (e.g., in the position of FIGS. 29, 33 ) when the controllable and non-controllable variables remain constant. However, in various instances, the exemplary IFR 140 may reciprocate, flutter, float or adjust position in real-time throughout or intermittingly during operations.

Referring to FIGS. 26 & 32 , if desired, the IFR 140 may have an “extended” or “closed” position, such as to close off the front end of the chamber 60 or the intake opening 102, situate the front end 142 thereof high enough to contact, engage to at least substantially sealingly engage the underside of the top deck 54 of the vessel 10 (or other component(s) on the vessel 10) to at least substantially prevent the loss of liquid/debris from the chamber 60 through the intake opening(s) 102 before or after debris recovery operations, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, the “rest position” as described above with respect to FIGS. 26, 32 may also serve as the “extended” position. For another example, the IFR 140 may float or be movable (e.g., manually or with a positive movement device, such as one or more mechanical or pneumatic drivers (e.g., as described above with respect to the exemplary gates 110), etc.)) to a higher position (e.g., FIGS. 35 & 40 ).

In FIG. 40 , the illustrated IFR 140 biasingly engages an IFR catcher 300 provided on the vessel 10 to establish or secure it in a closed position. The IFR catcher 300, when included, may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In this example, the IFR catcher 300 includes a first stop 302 configured to at least substantially sealingly engage the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 and a second stop 304 configured to engage the upper front surface of the IFR 140. The illustrated first and second stops 302, 304 are elongated sections of angle iron coupled to the underside of the top deck 54 and/or the side walls 82 of the chamber 60. However, the stops 302, 304 may have any other suitable form, configuration and operation. In other embodiments, the IFR 140 may be releasably securable to the IFR catcher 300 (e.g., with one or more hooks, latches, magnets, mechanical connectors) to secure the IFR 140 in the extended position (e.g., to prevent debris from sloshing out of the chamber 60 during transport after debris recovery operations). For another example, the “closed” position of the IFR 140 and techniques for moving it into and out of a “closed” position may be similar to that described above for the gates 110 and shown in FIGS. 1-22 .

Now referring to FIGS. 35-39 , an exemplary sliding-type (fixed-buoyancy) IFR 140 is shown. The illustrated sliding-type IFR 140 (a.k.a. gate 110) is at least partially buoyant and situated in an upright position so that the entire IFR 140 is movable up and down (as indicated with arrows 294) relative to the chamber 60, bulkhead 92 and intake opening 102 to provide the desired intake resistance. In this example, when installed, the sliding-type IFR 140 is perfectly vertical (e.g., relative to a centerline of the vessel 10) or nearly perfectly vertical. However, in other embodiments, the sliding-type IFR 140 may be angled or substantially vertical. Thus, the precise orientation of the sliding-type IFR 140 is not limiting upon the present disclosure and appended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom, so long as the IFR 140 is movable up and down and has one or more of the capabilities provided herein or which is evident from this disclosure and the appended drawings and claims.

The sliding-type IFR 140 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 36 , the IFR 140 may include at least one carrier 146 (e.g., plate(s) 150) and at least one float 144 (e.g., buoyancy chamber(s) 152) of the same type and having the same features as described above and shown in the appended drawings with respect to the exemplary pivoting-type IFR 140, except those details relating to the pivotability thereof or other features incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the sliding-type IFR as described and shown herein. Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the disclosure and details in this patent with respect to the carrier 146 and float 144 (e.g., the buoyancy chamber 152) of the exemplary pivoting-type IFR 140 (except that relating to the pivotability thereof) are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, the sliding-type IFR 140 may include multiple side-by-side adjacent sections (e.g., multiple sets of carriers 146 and corresponding floats 144) such as to accommodate or provide flexibility in response to side-by-side rocking or rolling of the vessel 10.

Similarly as described above, the sliding-type IFR 140 may not include any separate floats 144 (e.g., buoyancy chambers 152), but possess other suitable component(s) to provide the desired buoyancy. For example, the carrier 146 may include one or more buoyancy sections, cavities or chambers, and may be at least partially inflatable. For another example, the sliding-type IFR 140 (e.g., carrier 146) may include foam or other material with flotation properties to provide the desired buoyancy or uplift of the front end 140 b or other portion thereof. For yet another example, the sliding-type IFR 140 may be, or include, one or more bladder bags coupled to the vessel 10 proximate to the front end 42 thereof and configured to provide the desired intake resistance. If desired, the bladder bag(s) may be fixed buoyancy or variable buoyancy.

Still referring to FIG. 36 , if desired, the carrier 146 of the exemplary the sliding-type IFR 140 may include multiple plates 150, one or more support or frame members, such as to provide rigidity, sturdiness, durability, etc. to the plate(s) 150, or may be semi-rigid, flexible or pliable, perforated, non-flat, convex or concave or have any other form, configuration and components. In various embodiments, the IFR 140 includes left and right side frames 282, 283 and top and bottom edge frames 284, 285. The frame members 282-285 may, for example, extend inwardly from the plate 150 around the perimeter thereof, such as to provide stiffness to the IFR 140, assist in guiding the movement of the IFR 140, for any other suitable purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 35-37 , one or more guide pins 288 are shown protruding outwardly from each of the exemplary side frames 282, 283 and configured to move freely up and down (arrows 294) within respective left and right guide rails 290, 292. The guide pins 288 and guide rails 282, 292 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In this example, as shown in FIG. 36 , two guide pins 288 are provided on each side of the sliding-type IFR 140, but only one or more than two (e.g., 3, 4, 5, etc.) may be included. For example, the guide pins 288 may include a circular plate rigidly coupled (e.g., by weld and/or mechanical connectors) to a pipe section, which is rigidly coupled (e.g., by weld and/or mechanical connectors) to the side frames 282, 283 of the IFR 140. In other embodiments, the guide pins 288 may include a rotatable or non-rotatable wheel or other guide mechanism(s).

As shown in FIG. 37 , the exemplary guide rails 290, 292 each include a pair of elongated sections of angle-iron rigidly coupled (e.g., by weld and/or mechanical connectors) to the side walls 82 of the chamber 60 or other part(s) or component(s) of the vessel 10. And the exemplary sliding-type IFR 140 slides freely up and down within the guide rails 290, 292, which define and limit the path of the IFR 140 (e.g., FIG. 35 ). The guide rails 290, 292, when included, may be oriented perfectly or near-perfectly vertically, substantially vertically or have another desired orientation. Thus, the precise orientation of the guide rails 290, 292 is not limiting upon the present disclosure and appended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Referring specifically to FIG. 35 , the exemplary debris recovery system 58 may be designed so that the sliding-type IFR 140 is free-moving up and down (e.g., in the chamber 60, e.g., arrows 294). The front end 140 b thereof will ideally float at or near the surface 172 of adjacent liquid (e.g., in and/or moving into the first chamber 60) during use of the debris recovery system 58 to provide the desired intake resistance. Specifically, the front end 140 b of the exemplary sliding-type IFR 140 is shown extending across the intake opening 102 so the debris can flow, or cascade, over the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 as desired and similarly as described and shown herein with respect to the pivoting-type IFR 140. FIG. 35 thus shows an exemplary optimal operating position of the IFR 140 during debris recovery operations. The IFR 140 shown in shadow in FIG. 35 illustrates an exemplary extended, or closed, position of the IFR 140, similarly as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 38 & 39 , if desired, the exemplary sliding-type IFR 140 may include one or more seal members 155 or other components to provide or encourage at least substantial sealing engagement of the IFR 140 with the chamber 60, bulkhead 92 and/or other components. The seal members 155 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. For example, the seal members 155 may include one or more elongated gaskets 156 are shown coupled to the carrier 146 (e.g., with connectors (e.g., bolts), epoxy or other glue, opposing mating portions, by friction fit, or a combination thereof) and extending along the side edges 146 a, 146 b of the carrier 146 (e.g., along the outside surfaces of the left and right frames 282, 283) to at least substantially sealingly engage the left and right guide rails 290, 202, respectively, or one or more other components adjacent thereto. In many embodiments, one or more elongated gaskets 156 may extend along the front edge 146 c of the carrier 146. If desired, one or more seal members 155 (e.g., elongated gaskets 156) may also be provided along the rear edge 146 d of the carrier 146. One or more seal members 155 may instead or additionally be provided on the bulkhead 92, side wall(s) 82 of the chamber 60 or other components of the vessel 10 for the same purpose. For example, one or more elongated gaskets 156 is shown coupled to the inner wall of the bulkhead 92 across substantially the entire width of the intake opening 102 and/or chamber 60, such as to at least substantially seal the gap 296 (e.g., FIG. 37 ) between the bulkhead 92 and the sliding-type IFR 140, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

If desired, the sliding-type IFR 140 may be positioned within the chamber 60 with the guide pins 288 inserted into the respective rails 290, 292 before the top deck 54 (or at least the foremost section of the top deck 54) is secured to the vessel 10. If the exemplary debris recovery system 58 includes a variable buoyancy system 250 (such as described below), the variable buoyancy system 250 may be used to selectively position the front end 140 b of the sliding-type IFR 140 as desired. Otherwise, the debris recovery system 58 can be used to provide the desired intake resistance similarly as described above with respect to the pivoting-type IFR 140.

Referring now to FIGS. 30-34 & 40 , the debris recovery system 58 may include one or more internal mechanisms for varying the buoyancy of one or more IFRs 140. An IFR 14 having a variable buoyancy capability is sometimes referred to herein as a “variable-buoyancy” IFR 140. Thus, the IFR 140 may be a variable-buoyancy, pivoting-type IFR (e.g., FIGS. 43, 55 ), fixed-buoyancy, pivoting-type IFR (e.g., FIGS. 9-11, 13, 26-29 ), variable-buoyancy, sliding-type IFR, fixed-buoyancy, sliding-type IFR (e.g., gate 110, FIGS. 4-8 ; FIGS. 35-39 ) or have any other configuration.

In various embodiments, the debris recovery system 58 includes a variable buoyancy system 250 associated with one or more variable-buoyancy IFRs 140 and configured to allow the selective insertion and removal of gas, liquid or a combination thereof into/from the IFR 140 to influence its buoyancy. For example, when it is desirable to decrease the buoyancy of the IFR 140, air may be allowed to escape from the exemplary buoyancy chamber 152 and be replaced by liquid in the chamber 60 (e.g., FIG. 33 ). Conversely, when it is desirable to increase the buoyancy of the illustrated IFR 140, additional air may be injected into the buoyancy chamber 152 to displace liquid out of the buoyancy chamber 152 (e.g., FIG. 34 ). In embodiments of variable buoyancy IFRs 140 not including buoyancy chambers 152 (e.g., having one or more bladder bags, removable floats, etc.), the variable buoyancy system 250 could involve other (e.g., inflatable, detachable) components.

The variable buoyancy system 250 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. For example, referring to FIGS. 30 & 31 , the buoyancy chamber 152 may include four water exchange openings 154 (e.g., formed in the bottom 153 of the buoyancy chamber 152 and always open) to allow liquid from the chamber 60 to be able to enter the buoyancy chamber 152. However, any other suitable form, configuration, quantity (e.g., 1-3, 5 or more) and location of the water exchange openings 154 may be used.

The exemplary variable buoyancy system 250 includes at least one air exchange conduit 254 (e.g., flexible hose, steel pipe, etc.) fluidly coupled to the buoyancy chamber 152 and configured to allow the selective insertion and removal of air (and/or gas(es)) into the buoyancy chamber 152. For example, one or more air compressors 258 may be provided on the vessel 10 for selectively suppling compressed air into the buoyancy chamber 152 via the air exchange conduit 254, such as through one or more risers 262 (e.g., steel pipe, flexible tubing, etc.). However, any other arrangement of components may be used to selectively provide air in the buoyancy chamber 152.

Still referring to FIGS. 30 & 31 , if desired, since the variable buoyancy IFR 140 may move relative the vessel 10 (e.g., arrows 78), one or more flex connectors 266 may be strategically placed between the air exchange conduit 254 and riser 262 to allow movement of the air exchange conduit 254 (with the IFR 140) relative to the riser 262 (and/or other components) without disconnecting or damaging the air exchange conduit 254, buoyancy chamber 152 and/or other components. The flex connector 266 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. For example, the flex connector 266 may be a flexible hose or expansion joint.

In many embodiments, the variable buoyancy system 250 also includes one or more discharge conduits 270 (e.g., to the atmosphere) fluidly coupled to the buoyancy chamber 152 to allow air to be selectively discharged therefrom. For example, the riser 262 may be fluidly coupled to both the air compressor 258 (e.g., via air supply branch 260) and at least one air discharge conduit 270, such as at a T-connector 272. The variable buoyancy system 250 may also include at least one relief valve 276 and/or at least one fill valve 278 that may be actuated to allow/disallow air to be selectively supplied into the buoyancy chamber 152 from the air compressor 258 (or other source) and discharged out of the buoyancy chamber 152 via the discharge conduit 270. One or more check valves 280 may be included in the variable buoyancy system 250 (e.g., in the supply branch 260 and/or one or more discharge conduits 270), such as to allow only one-way air flow in desired sections of the variable buoyancy system 250.

Referring now to FIGS. 32-34 , an example use of the variable buoyancy IFR 140 will now be described. FIG. 32 represents a potential start, or rest, position of the exemplary variable buoyancy IFR 140 after the chamber 60 has been filled with water and before the start of debris recovery operations. In this example, the buoyancy chamber 152 is filled with air (e.g., naturally, by injecting air therein such as described above or otherwise) so that the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 is positioned above the surface 172 of the adjacent water (e.g., within the chamber 60), representing an exemplary rest or non-operating position of the IFR 140.

Referring specifically to FIG. 33 , if it is desired to decrease the buoyancy of the IFR 140 (e.g., move the exemplary IFR 140 down into a lower position relative to the level 172 of the adjacent water/debris in the chamber 60) with the use of the variable buoyancy system 250, the exemplary fill valve 278 is closed and the relief valve 276 opened, allowing a desired volume of air to escape from buoyancy chamber 152 and be replaced by liquid flowing up into the buoyancy chamber 152 through the water exchange opening(s) 154. When the desired position of the exemplary IFR 140 is achieved, the illustrated valve 276 may be closed. This may be desirable in various scenarios, such as to establish or maintain the optimal operating position of the IFR 140 and/or optimal intake resistance when the forward movement of the vessel 10 and/or suction pressure (e.g., via the circulation pumps 184 and/or in the relevant suction conduit(s) 160) in the cargo compartment(s) 60 is reduced or stopped, when the thickness of the debris (e.g., oil) in the body of water 30 increases and it is desired to allow more debris to enter the chamber 60, upon the occurrence of one or more other events, variables or situations, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

In FIG. 33 , some liquid has entered the buoyancy chamber 152, positioning the IFR 140 lower in the chamber 60 as comparted to its rest position in FIG. 32 . FIG. 33 thus illustrates the exemplary buoyancy chamber 152 partially flooded and the IFR 140 in an exemplary operating position. In this example, suction in the chamber 60 has also commenced and/or the vessel 10 is moving in the forward direction, and debris (e.g., small-sized debris 40, large-sized debris 41, some mixed debris/water) is shown flowing or cascading over the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 into the chamber 60 as water 38 is being removed therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 34 , there may be various situations in which it is desirable to increase the buoyancy of the IFR 140 with the use of the exemplary variable buoyancy system 250. For example, as the chamber 60 becomes more filled with oil (and/or other low density debris), the IFR 140 will tend to float lower in the chamber 60 and it may be desirable to raise up the IFR 140 (e.g., to establish or maintain the optimal operating position of the IFR 140 and/or optimal intake resistance). For other examples, upon moving the vessel 10 forward from a stationary position, increasing the forward speed of the vessel 10, initiating or increasing suction pressure (e.g., via the circulation pumps 184 and/or in the relevant suction conduit(s) 160) in the cargo compartment(s) 60, increased wind or wave action (e.g., where fluid pressure provides increased push on the IFR 140), the occurrence of one or more other events, or a combination thereof, it may be desirable to increase the buoyancy of the IFR 140 (e.g., to establish or maintain the optimal operating position of the IFR 140 and/or optimal intake resistance).

To increase buoyancy of the IFR 140 using the exemplary variable buoyancy system 250, the relief valve 276 is closed, the fill valve 278 opened and the desired volume of air is injected into the buoyancy chamber 152 from the air compressor 258 (or other source) to push out the desired volume of liquid from inside the buoyancy chamber 152 through the water exchange opening(s) 154. When the desired position of the IFR 140 is achieved, the exemplary valve 274 may be closed. FIG. 34 thus shows a less partially flooded buoyancy chamber 152 than in FIG. 33 . However, any other technique and components may be used to vary the buoyancy of the IFR 140.

In some embodiments, the variable buoyancy system 250 may be useful on an ongoing basis to continually, or as necessary, selectively adjust the position of the IFR(s) 140 in the cargo compartment(s) 60 to influence (e.g., improve) the efficiency and effectiveness of debris collection operations (e.g., collect as much debris as quickly as possible), establish or maintain the optimal operating position of the IFR 140 and/or optimal intake resistance, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. If desired, the use of the variable buoyancy system 250 may be automated with the use of one or more electronic controllers (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ), such as for real-time, continuous or automatic adjustment of the buoyance of one or more IFR(s) 140. Further, the variable buoyancy system 250 may be used in conjunction with one or more other controllable or non-controllable variables, as mentioned above.

Jumping briefly to FIG. 57 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, when included, the variable buoyancy system 250 associated with one or more variable buoyancy IFRs 140 may have a closed-loop system to help prevent the buoyancy chamber 152 and/or other components from becoming clogged with, or damaged by, debris and/or for any other purposes. For example, the exemplary system 250 may be designed not to use the water from the cargo compartment(s) 60 or other locations (e.g., in remote debris recovery arrangement(s) 420, FIG. 58 ) that may contain debris.

Any suitable components and techniques may be used to provide a closed-loop variable buoyancy system 250. For example, the buoyancy chamber 152 may not utilize water exchange openings (e.g., openings 154, FIG. 30 ) that allow liquid from the inflow chamber 310, cargo compartment (not shown) or other chamber within which incoming debris will flow to enter the buoyancy chamber 152. Instead, one or more exemplary liquid exchange conduits 452 (e.g., flexible hose, steel pipe, etc.) or other component(s) may be fluidly coupled between the buoyancy chamber 152 and one or more liquid (preferably clean water) storage sources to change the buoyancy of the associated IFR 140. If desired, the exemplary liquid exchange conduit(s) 452 may enter the buoyancy chamber 152 at or near the bottom thereof, or lower than the entry point(s) of the air exchange conduit 254, to help encourage quick and easy flow of the liquid into and out of the buoyancy chamber 152 to vary the buoyancy of the IFR 140 as desired and/or for any other purposes.

Still referring to FIG. 57 , the liquid source may have any suitable form, construction, operation and location. For example, the liquid source may include one or more liquid (clean water) holding tanks 502 provided in or on the vessel 10 or other location (e.g., remote debris arrangement 420, FIG. 58 ) along with any necessary associated components (e.g., motor, fluid pump, valves, etc.). In various embodiments, the holding tanks 502 are reservoir chambers 455 (e.g., FIG. 54 ) built into or provided on the vessel 10 near the chamber (e.g., inflow chamber 310) where the IFR 140 resides. The choice liquid can thus be cycled from the exemplary holding tank(s) 502 into and out of the exemplary buoyancy chamber(s) 152 as desired via the liquid exchange conduit(s) 452, such as through one or more risers 262 (e.g., steel pipe, flexible tubing, etc.) or other components.

In an exemplary operation, the buoyancy of the IFR 140 may be increased by selectively injecting compressed air into the buoyancy chamber 152 via one or more air compressors 258 (or other sources), similarly as described above with respect to other embodiments, but in this case to push water (or other liquid) out of the buoyancy chamber 152 and into the holding tank(s) 502 (or other destination). To decrease buoyancy of the exemplary IFR 140, for example, air (or other gas) can be selectively vented out of the buoyancy chamber 152, allowing the desired volume of water or other liquid to passively drop (e.g., via gravity) or be driven (e.g., via pump, motor, etc.) into the buoyancy chamber 152. However, any other arrangement of components may be used to selectively provide liquid and gas into and out of the buoyancy chamber(s) 152 of one or more variable buoyance IFRs 140.

Jumping now briefly to FIGS. 112-113C, in some embodiments, the buoyancy of the (pivoting-type or sliding-type) IFR 140 may be selectively varied mechanically, such as by adding and removing one or more floats 144 or weights 147 (e.g. FIG. 28 ) to and from the IFR 140 or in any other suitable manner. For example, adding one float 144 to the IFR 140 could increase its buoyancy to a certain extent, adding two floats 144 could increase buoyancy of the IFR 140 to a greater extent and so on. The converse should be true when removing one or more floats 144. When adding and removing weights 147, the opposite should occur (adding weights 140 decreases, while removing weights 140 increases, IFR buoyancy). In some embodiments, floats 144 (or weights 147) can be added and removed without disconnecting the IFR 140 from the vessel 10 (e.g., FIG. 114 ). For example, the floats 144 or weights 147 may be (e.g., manually) engaged (e.g., clipped, snapped) onto and off the carrier 146. If desired, different individual floats 144 and/or weights 147 can be specifically designed to provide a desired amount of buoyancy.

A mechanically variable buoyancy IFR 140 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. In FIGS. 112-113 c, the illustrated carrier 146 of the IFR 140 includes a base plate 150 and float receiver 151 coupled together in any suitable manner, such as with connectors (e.g., bolts, pins, clips), by weld or otherwise. In other embodiments, the base plate 150 and float receiver 151 could be a single, or integral, component. If desired, one or more hinges 149 (e.g., pin 148, FIG. 28 , piano hinge 159) may be provided at or near the rear end 140 a of the IFR 140 (e.g., for engagement with the vessel 10). In the illustrated version, the hinge pin 150 is welded to the base plate 150.

Still referring to FIGS. 112-113 c, the exemplary float receiver 151 has at least one float engagement portion 151 a where up to three floats 144 may be snapped into and out of engagement. However, the IFR 140 may be configured to take any other desired number of floats 144 (e.g., 2, 4, 5, etc.), which may be releasably engaged therewith in any other suitable manner (e.g., by cotter pins, bolts, clips, Velcro, etc.). The removable floats 144 may be engaged with the IFR 140 at any location. In this example, the floats 144 are coupled to the underside of the float receiver 151, and at the front end 140 b of the IFR 140 (e.g., where buoyancy is typically desired). The exemplary float receiver 151 has curved front end 151 b that forms one or more pockets 151 c where the floats 144 can be seated and a solid, smooth front edge 151 c forming the front edge 142 of the IFR 140. However, any other configuration may be employed.

In some configurations using one or more weights 147 to vary the buoyancy of the IFR 140, the IFR 140 may otherwise have a fixed buoyancy (e.g., FIGS. 27-28, 36 ). For example, the IFR 140 may have one or more fixed buoyancy floats 144 that are not removable, so that buoyancy can be changed only by adding or removing weights 14 (e.g., FIG. 28 ). In other configurations, the IFR 140 may include one or more variable buoyancy floats 144 and/or one or more removable weights 147 and/or floats 144. It should be noted that any of the embodiments of the IFR 140 described or shown (e.g., FIGS. 1-140 ) throughout this patent may be equipped to function as a variable-buoyancy IFR 140.

It should be noted that variations of the embodiments of FIGS. 23-40, 57 and 110-113C may include more, fewer or different components, features and capabilities as those described or shown herein. Further, any of the details, features, components, variations and capabilities of other embodiments discussed or shown in this patent or as may be apparent from the description and drawings hereof, are applicable to the embodiments of FIGS. 23-40, 57 and 110-113C, except and only to the extent they may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 23-40, 57 and 110-113C. Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided in this patent with respect to the other embodiments or as may be shown in the appended drawings relating thereto or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 23-40, 57 and 110-113C.

Now referring to FIGS. 41-51 , the debris recovery system 58 may include at least one IFR 140 situated within or adjacent to at least one inflow chamber 310 forward of and fluidly coupled to at least one chamber 60 on the vessel 10. When included, the inflow chamber 310 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction and location. Referring specifically to FIGS. 41 & 42 , in this example, the debris recovery system 58 includes a single chamber 60, and a single inflow chamber 310 containing a front IFR 140 c and a rear IFR 140 d. Other embodiments may include more or fewer IFRs 140 in any configuration (e.g., front-to-rear and/or side-by-side) or location, more than one inflow chambers 310 and/or cargo compartments 60 or a combination thereof.

An example (small-sized) vessel 10 of various embodiments (e.g., useful in offshore and some onshore waterways) may have an approximate length of thirty-two feet (32′), an approximate width of ten feet (10′) and an approximate depth of four & ¾ feet (4.75′) and be configured to effectively recover debris in waterways that may have up to approximately twelve inch (12″) waves (e.g., inland waterways and shallow off-shore locations). As discussed above, the vessel 10 may be self-propelled, propelled by one or more other vessels or in any other manner, or may be stationary. In some embodiments, the vessel 10 may be self-propelled with two propel units 19 (FIG. 42 ) powered by one or more power units. For example, two MJP Ultrajet 251 units sold by Marine Jet Power, Inc., each having a 250 mm diameter impeller and joy stick control may be used as the propel units 19 and powered, for example, by a General Motors Marine Diesel VGT500 as the power unit.

In an independent aspect of the present disclosure, in various embodiments, a substantially, or completely, submerged flow path (e.g., liquid-only, entirely or substantially void of gas) can be provided at least from the intake opening(s) 102, one or more IFRs 140, and/or through the inflow chamber(s) 310 (if included) and one or more passageway(s) 100 to the suction pumps 184 during debris collection operations, which is sometimes referred to herein as a “liquid-sealed system”. In various embodiment, a substantially, or completely, submerged (liquid-only) flow path may also extend to one or more discharge ports 356 and/or debris pump inlets 382 (described below), when included. A liquid-sealed system may be desirable, for example, to optimize the effort of the suction and/or debris pumps 184, 380 and/or IFRs 140 (when included), help ensure only debris is removed by one or more debris pumps 380, provide optimal or maximum inflow of debris at the intake openings 102, help provide and/or control a desired rate and velocity of incoming debris, optimize system performance and efficiency, help prevent sloshing and/or emulsification of debris/liquid in the cargo compartment(s) 60 and/or other areas on the vessel 10, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, with an exemplary liquid-sealed system, the ratio of suction pressure (or liquid velocity) at the suction pumps 184 to suction pressure (or liquid velocity) at the intake openings 102 or IFRs 140 can be optimized, such as approximately 1:1 minus the friction loss from fluid/debris travelling therebetween. This may be achievable, for example, by creating and maintaining a vacuum and/or one or more air-tight or fluid-sealed spaces at, around or between the circulation pumps 184, debris pumps 380 and passageways 100 (and possibly other components), so debris 34 flows substantially entirely through liquid, and/or any gas entering the debris flow path during operations can be removed.

Referring still FIGS. 41 & 42 , the exemplary inflow chamber 310 is shown separated from the chamber 60 by at least one (front) vertical wall 90 and fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 by at least one (front) passageway, or opening, 100 that allows fluid (and debris) flow past the vertical wall 90. Each passageway 100 between the inflow chamber(s) 310 and cargo compartment(s) 60 may be fully submersed in liquid (e.g., FIG. 46 ) during operations, such as to allow a vacuum to be created/maintained in the chamber 60 and/or help provide a liquid-sealed system, for one or more other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the lower end 91 of the vertical wall 90 may not extend down to the hull, or lower plate, 55 of the vessel 10 or other part(s) of the vessel 10 that forms or serves as the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 and/or inflow chamber 310. In such instance, the exemplary front passageway 100 may be the entire space 101 extending below the lower end 91 of the vertical wall 90.

In other examples, one or more front passageways 100 may comprise only a part of the space 101 formed, or provided in, or proximate, to the lower end 91 of the exemplary vertical wall 90 (which may extend to the bottom 83 of the compartment 60, hull 55 or other component) or be provided elsewhere (e.g., formed in the wall 90 closer to its lower end than its upper end). In yet other embodiments, the exemplary passageway(s) 100 between the chamber 60 and inflow chamber 310 may be provided in one or more suction conduits 160 (e.g., similarly as described above and shown in various appended figures (e.g., FIGS. 1-2, 13-20 )) extending therebetween or therethrough. Accordingly, the compatible features of the suction conduit 160 as described and shown elsewhere herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference for these embodiments. Additionally, the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of the passageway(s) 100 fluidly coupling the inflow chamber(s) 310 and cargo compartment(s) 60 is not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. If desired, a selectively moveable gate (e.g., gate 110, FIG. 47 ; see also FIGS. 3-18 ) may be associated with the front passageway(s) 100 to selectively seal off or fluidly isolate the inflow chamber(s) 310 from the cargo compartment(s) 60 as desired, serve as a “sliding”-type IFR 140 (e.g., FIGS. 35-39 ), for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 42 , for debris recovery operations, the exemplary debris recovery system 58 is designed so that debris (and some liquid) enter the vessel 10 from the body of water 30 via the inflow chamber(s) 310 at one or more intake openings 102 forward of the IFR(s) 140, when included (e.g., at or proximate to the front end 42 or the mouth 43 of the vessel 10 (e.g., FIG. 137 (or other locations (e.g., FIGS. 74 & 104 )). Any desired number, form and configuration of intake openings 102 may be included. For example, the intake opening 102 may be the entire space 102 a extending between front edges of at least one inflow chamber cover 316 (and/or other vessel component(s), such as the top deck 54) and the hull 55 (and/or other vessel component(s), such as one or more recessed front decks 56) and the opposing side walls 96 that define the inflow chamber 310.

In other embodiments, one or more intake openings 102 may, for example, comprise only part of the space 102 a, or may be formed in a front bulkhead or vertical wall of the vessel 10 (e.g., similar to other embodiments described above, e.g., FIG. 3 ). In yet other embodiments, the intake opening 102 may have no upper boundary, such as similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 23-26 . Thus, the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of the intake opening(s) 102 is not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure and claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The recessed front deck(s) 56, when included, may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. In some embodiments, the recessed front deck 56 may be provided at or near the front 42 of the vessel 10 forward of the front IFR 140 c. For example, the recessed front deck 56 may extend between (or near) the front edge 55 a of the hull 55 and a front IFR support wall 320. If desired, the recessed front deck 56 may include a wave diminishing surface 57 that slants downwardly toward the front end 42 of the vessel 10 to assist in dampening or reducing the impact, size, action of waves/turbulence in the body of water 30 (e.g., like a beach) or otherwise caused by fluid/debris entering the inflow chamber 310, encourage only the top layer(s) of liquid/debris (e.g., oil 34, debris, algae, oily water) to pass through the intake opening(s) 102, limit the flow of sea water through the intake opening(s) 102, for any other desired purpose(s) or a combination thereof. However, the recessed front deck 56 may have different features or not be included in various embodiments.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 42 , when included, the inflow chamber cover(s) 316 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. For example, the inflow chamber cover 316 may be at least partially transparent, or see-through, to allow one or more operators on the vessel 10 to observe one or more conditions in the inflow chamber 310 (e.g., the effect of one or more controllable variables and/or the existence and effect of one or more non-controllable variables (e.g., the nature, action, turbulence and/or content of water, amount and/or type of debris entering, within and/or flowing through the inflow chamber 310)), one or more components in the inflow chamber 310, such as the position, intake resistance and/or effectiveness of each IFR 140, in order to determine if, when and what adjustments should be made (e.g., to the IFRs 140, suction pressure from the circulation pump(s) 184, vessel speed, state and speed of the debris pump(s) 380) during operations, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In various configurations, the inflow chamber cover 316 may be at least partially perforated, constructed at least partially of grating, mesh, clear fiberglass or other at least partially transparent material(s), other suitable material or a combination thereof. In this exemplary embodiment, the inflow chamber cover 316 includes a metallic grate.

Referring now to FIGS. 48 & 49 , the inflow chamber cover 316 may also or instead be used to at least temporarily store debris 34 that cannot be processed via the debris recovery system 58 or for which an operator does not want to so process (e.g., animals, large-sized debris 41, etc.), sometimes referred to herein as the “undesirable debris”. For example, when undesirable debris is encountered during operations (e.g., as or before it enters the inflow chamber 310), it may be grabbed (e.g., with a manually-operated or automated gaff or grabber) and placed atop the inflow chamber cover 316 for later disposal, preventing the undesirable debris from clogging the intake opening(s) 102, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. If the inflow chamber cover 316 is perforated, placement of the undesirable debris upon the cover 316 may allow any small-sized debris 40 (e.g., oil 34, algae bloom) carried by or on it and which is small enough to fit through the perforations in the inflow chamber cover 316 to pass or drip into the inflow chamber 310 or other location for recovery and processing. If desired, one or more front portions 317 and/or side portions of the inflow chamber cover 316 may be angled upwardly, such as to prevent undesirable debris placed thereupon from rolling off the vessel 10. However, the inflow chamber cover(s) 316 may have any other configuration, components and operation and is not required. It should be noted that, in any embodiment, one or more debris processors (e.g., processors 550 a, 550 b, FIGS. 55-56 ) or other components of a debris processing system 530, such as described below or shown in FIGS. 55-56 , may be provided on the vessel 10 for processing some or all of the undesirable or other debris.

Still referring FIGS. 48 & 49 , one or more front doors 328 may be provided on the vessel 10 (e.g., to selectively close off or block the intake opening(s) 102 during transit or storage of the vessel or any other desired time). The front door(s) 328 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. In the present embodiment, the front doors 328 include a pair of sideways pivoting gates 330 situated at the front 42 of the vessel 10 and selectively moveable between at least one closed position (e.g., FIG. 41 ) and at least one open position (e.g., FIGS. 42-46, 48-51 ). The illustrated gates 330 are pivotably coupled (e.g., via one or more hinges 332) at or proximate to the respective front edges 97 (e.g., FIG. 42 ) of the side walls 96 that form the inflow chamber 310 (or to one or more other components at or near the front end 42 of the vessel 10) and are selectively pivotable (e.g., by electric or solar powered motor, hydraulic or pneumatic power source, manually or otherwise) inwardly and outwardly relative to the vessel 10 between open and closed positions. However, the door(s) 328 (e.g., gates 330), when included, may be configured and coupled to the vessel 10 and moveable between positions in any other suitable manner and technique and/or may be automated via one or more electronic controllers (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ).

In at least one closed position, the exemplary doors 328 may be configured to substantially or fully, fluidly seal the intake opening(s) 102 and the mouth 43 of the vessel 10 (e.g., to prevent wave splash from entering the vessel 10 and/or debris from escaping from the vessel 10 therethrough during transit to a debris field, for one or more other purposes or a combination thereof). In at least one open position, the exemplary gates 330 allow sea water/debris flow into the inflow chamber 310 for debris recovery operations. If desired, the door(s) 328 may be configured to funnel or encourage debris to move towards the inflow chamber 310 during debris recovery operations. In fact, the door(s) 328 may have any of the compatible features, details or capabilities of the elongated boom(s) 190 as described above and/or shown in other figures appended hereto (e.g., FIG. 1 ). However, front doors 328 may not be included in some embodiments or may have different or additional features.

Still referring FIGS. 48 & 49 , if desired, one or more large-sized debris guards 334 may be provided at the front 42 of the vessel 10 to assist in preventing large-sized debris 41 from entering into and/or blocking the inflow chamber 310 and/or for any other purpose(s). When included, the large-sized debris guard(s) 334 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, components, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. In many embodiments, a single large-sized debris guard 334 may be configured to extend at least partially across the intake opening(s) 102 and/or mouth 43 of the vessel 10 and be at least partially perforated to allow the flow of sea water and small-sized debris 40 to pass therethrough. For example, the large-sized debris guard 334 may include grating or mesh having holes which are sized as desired.

The exemplary large-sized debris guard 334 is configured to be stowed atop the inflow chamber cover 316 (e.g., during transit and/or non-use of the debris recovery system 58) and deployable therefrom to one or more positions forward of the front 42 of the vessel 10. For example, the guard 334 may be pivotably coupled to the inflow chamber cover 316 (e.g., via one or more hinge pins 339) or other component of the vessel 10 and selectively pivotable (e.g., up, over and down, e.g., along arrows 341) relative to the vessel 10 (e.g., by electric or solar powered motor, hydraulic or pneumatic power source, manually or otherwise) between at least one stowed position (334 a) and at least one deployed position (334 b). However, any other components and technique may be used to deploy the large-sized debris guard 334, when included. For example, the large-sized debris guard(s) 334 may be coupled to one or more front doors 328, manually placed in at least one deployed position, etc.

Still referring FIGS. 48 & 49 , in a deployed position, the exemplary large-sized debris guard 334 extends angularly outwardly in front of the vessel 10 and between the open front door(s) 328 (when included) so that its bottom edge 336 is preferably typically submersed in sea water 38 during debris recovery operations. For example, the large-sized debris guard 334 may include a main (e.g., rectangular) panel 335 and side (e.g., triangular) wing panels 337 in order to extend fully between the open doors 328 and across the vessel mouth 43. In some embodiments, the side wing panels 337 are pivotably coupled to the main panel 335 between at least one folded (e.g., stowed) position and at least one open (e.g., deployed) position of the side wing panels 337, such as with hinge pins 342 or one or more other coupling devices.

If desired, the large-sized debris guard 334 may be selectively releasably coupled to the front door(s) 328 (e.g., gates 330), such as to increase the structural tolerance and/or strength of the doors 328 and/or guard 334, maintain the desired operating position(s) of the doors 328 and/or guard 334, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In various configurations, the side wing panels 337 may be configured to be selectively releasably coupled at or near their respective side edges 338 to the open gates 330 with retractable or releasable pins, clamps or the like. However, the large-sized debris guard 334, when included, may have any other suitable arrangement of components and operation.

Referring back to FIGS. 41 & 42 , the IFRs 140 in the inflow chamber 310 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. For example, the front and rear IFRs 140 c, 140 d may both be variable-buoyancy, pivoting-type IFRs 140 useful with an associated variable buoyancy system 250 (such as described and shown elsewhere herein). However, either or both of the IFRs 140 c, 140 d may have another variable buoyancy configuration, be fixed-buoyancy and/or sliding-type IFRs 140 (such as described above and shown in the corresponding figures). The exemplary front IFR 140 c is shown pivotably coupled to the front IFR support wall 320 (e.g., at the uppermost edge 56 a of, and rearward of, the recessed front deck 56), while the exemplary rear IFR 140 d is pivotably coupled to a rear IFR support wall 322 rearward of the front IFR 140 c.

Multiple IFRs 140 (e.g., the front and rear IFRs 140 c, 140 d) may be used in the inflow chamber 310 (or other locations on the vessel 10) to improve debris collection operations by directing or allowing mostly debris (more debris and less sea water) into the chamber 60, dampening or reducing wave action and/or turbulence in water entering the vessel 10, providing for more consistent debris recovery operations during a project (e.g., by efficiently and effectively managing the impact of controllable and non-controllable variables to provide steady inflow of primarily debris (e.g., small-sized debris) into the cargo compartment(s) 60), for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, in many use scenarios, the front IFR 140 c may typically float primarily in sea water 38 in the inflow chamber 310 (e.g., FIG. 46 ) and be configured to assist in dampening or reducing the impact, size, action and/or turbulence of waves that may enter the intake opening(s) 102, encourage only the top layer(s) in the sea water (e.g., small-sized debris, oily water) to pass thereby, other desired purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In such instances, the variable buoyancy system 250 (when included) of the exemplary front IFR 140 c may be selectively actuated/adjusted during operations based upon the fact that the front IFR 140 c floats primarily in water (high density liquid) and in response to or anticipation of direct contact with waves and water turbulence.

Thus, in some embodiments, the front IFR 140 c may be used to act similarly as the angled wave diminishing surface 57 of the exemplary recessed front desk 56 (when included) as described above and may move drastically between positions. For example, when the body of water is calm (e.g., having a flat surface) during debris recovery operations, it may be desirable to maintain the front IFR 140 c in a less buoyant (more horizontal) position. When there is turbulence on/near the surface of the body of water (e.g., due to waves), increased forward motion of the vessel, increased suction caused by the circulation pump(s) 184 (and or the debris pump(s) 380) or a combination thereof, it may be desirable to maintain the front IFR 140 c in a more buoyant (angled) position.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 42 , the exemplary rear IFR 140 d may, in many use scenarios, typically float in primarily small-sized debris 40 (e.g., oil 34, oily water, algae bloom) in the inflow chamber 310 (e.g., FIG. 46 ) with little water turbulence (or less water turbulence than experienced by the front IFR 140 c, particularly when the recessed front deck 56 and/or front IFR 140 c successfully or significantly reduce the effect of wave action/turbulence in the liquid entering the inflow chamber 310 and/or allow primarily debris (e.g., small-sized debris 40) to pass to the rear IFR 140 d). In at least those instances, the variable buoyancy system 250 of the rear IFR 140 d (when included) may be selectively actuated/adjusted during operations based upon the facts that the rear IFR 140 d floats primarily in debris (e.g., often having a lower density than sea water) and/or is subject to little or no wave action or water turbulence. The position of the exemplary rear IFR 140 d may thus be fine-tuned (e.g., based upon the thickness and make-up of the debris floating through the inflow chamber 310, vessel speed, circulation pump 184 suction pressure) to optimize intake resistance, the cohesive properties of some small-sized debris 40, the ladle effect, for any other purposes, or a combination thereof.

In at least some scenarios, the front IFR 140 c of various embodiments may be characterized as being more likely to adjust position (e.g., pivot and/or be selectively pivoted in response to controllable and/or non-controllable variables) drastically in its unique environment and to achieve the desired objectives of the front IFR 140 c, while the rear IFR 140 d may be characterized as more being more likely to adjust position (e.g., pivot and/or be selectively pivoted in response to controllable and/or non-controllable variables) by slight adjustments due to its unique environment and in order to optimize debris recovery operations. For example, the front IFR 140 c of a debris recovery system 58 designed to effectively recover debris in a body of water that may have up to approximately twelve inch (12″) waves (e.g., on inland bodies of water and shallow off-shore locations) may move (e.g., pivot) within an arc of up to approximately twelve-fourteen inches (12-14″) in response to the controllable and non-controllable variables acting upon it during operations. In that scenario, the exemplary rear IFR 140 d, though capable of moving within the same range of motion, may be expected to and/or selectively manipulated to move within a smaller range of motion in response to the controllable and non-controllable variables acting upon it and the desired objectives.

Referring again to FIGS. 41 & 42 , as discussed above, in various embodiments, during use of the debris recovery system 58, the buoyancy of the variable-buoyancy IFRs 140 may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of air in the buoyancy chamber(s) 152 of the IFR 140. In some embodiments, such as shown and discussed elsewhere herein, the buoyancy may be increased, for example, by blowing air from a low-pressure air compressor through piping and/or flexible hoses (e.g., flexible hoses may accommodate the movement of the IFR 140) into the buoyancy chamber(s) 152. As air is introduced into the exemplary buoyancy chamber(s) 152, liquid is pushed out of the buoyancy chamber(s) 152 through one or more openings 154 in (e.g., the bottom of) the buoyancy chamber 152. The buoyancy of the exemplary variable-buoyancy IFR 140 may be decreased by releasing air from the buoyancy chamber(s) 152 through the same flexible hoses and/or piping (e.g., through one or more vent valves). In such instances, the hydrostatic pressure around the buoyancy chamber 152 (and/or a motor, gravity or other cause) may force water back into the buoyancy chamber 152, resulting in increased weight of the IFR 140 and a tendency for the IFR 140 to be positioned lower, relative to the surface of the liquid it floats in. Letting water into a buoyancy chamber 152, such as described above, may be referred to herein as “ballasting” the IFR 140, while forcing water out of a buoyancy chamber 152 may be referred to as “de-ballasting” the IFR 140.

Some exemplary operational scenarios that may warrant adjustment to the buoyancy of one or more exemplary variable-buoyancy IFRs 140 (and/or other variables) include when the body of water is dead-calm verses having waves and/or water turbulence. In a dead calm situation, one or more of the exemplary IFRs 140 would typically not have to counter the dynamic force of waves/turbulence and can, if necessary, be ballasted to a less buoyant position. As waves or water turbulence increases, one or more of the exemplary IFRs 140 may be de-ballasted to a more buoyant position. For example, it may be desirable or necessary to (potentially significantly) de-ballast the front IFR 140 c to press against and dampen or diminish the effect of the waves, and (typically) less necessary to de-ballast the rear IFR 140 d or de-ballast it to a lesser degree.

For another example, when conditions allow, the exemplary vessel 10 may be configured to collect debris while in transit (typically moving forward) through the debris field or fields. The transit motion of the exemplary vessel 10 may create head waves at the front 42 of the vessel 10 and intake opening 102. The head waves may, in many instances, be avoided, reduced or mitigated by increasing the suction of the exemplary circulation pumps 184 (e.g., one or more operators visually observes the water in front of the vessel 10 to see or anticipate head waves and ramps up the pumps 184 as needed, one or more sensors sends signals to an electronic controller to ramp up pumps 184). For example, the exemplary circulation pumps 184 may be configured to suck in sea water from the chamber 60 at a rate or volume that is at least slightly greater than the rate or volume of water/debris entering the intake opening 102, reducing or eliminating the existence or effect of head waves. If the maximum suction capacity of the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 is achieved and head waves are forming, it may be desirable to slow the forward velocity of the vessel 10 to avoid, reduce or mitigate the existence or effect of the head waves. In any case, an increase in the transit motion of the exemplary vessel 10 or suction of the circulation pump(s) 184 (and/or suction of the debris pumps 380 (described below) typically to a less extent than the circulation pump(s) 184), or the existence of head waves or other water turbulence forward of the vessel 10 or any combinations thereof, will typically apply increased forces and/or friction upon the IFRs 140, which may be offset by de-ballasting one or more of the exemplary IFRs 140 to a more buoyant position. For example, it may be desirable or necessary to (potentially significantly) de-ballast the front IFR 140 c, and (typically) less necessary to de-ballast the rear IFR 140 d (or de-ballast it to a lesser degree than the front IFR 140 c) to counter increased friction and/or forces thereupon.

For still a further example, the thicker the small-sized debris 40 (e.g., oil 34) on the surface 32 of the body of water 30, the less buoyant the exemplary IFRs 140 (particularly the rear IFR 140 d) may typically need to be in order to allow more debris to pass or cascade over it/them. It may therefore be desirable to (potentially significantly) ballast the exemplary rear IFR 140 d and potentially also ballast the front IFR 140 c (or ballast it to a lesser degree than the rear IFR 140 d) depending upon the thickness of the debris 40. In scenarios with thicker debris, it may also or instead be beneficial to increase the suction of the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 and/or transit velocity of the vessel 10 to increase debris inflow. Thus, adjustments to the buoyancy of the IFRs 140 may benefit from consideration of other controllable and non-controllable variables.

In use scenarios when the small-sized debris 40 (e.g., oil 34) on the surface 32 of the body of water 30 is thin (e.g., a mere sheen), it may be desirable to de-ballast the exemplary IFRs 140 (particularly the rear IFR 140 d) to make them more buoyant and cause a very thin layer of debris to pass over the front edge 142 thereof. As used herein, the terms “sheen” and variations thereof mean a very thin layer of small-sized debris (e.g., oil), such as less than 0.0002-0.005 mm floating on the water surface. Finessing the position of the exemplary IFRs 140, particularly the rear IFR 140 d, to cause a very thin layer (e.g., razor or paper thin, sheen) of the small-sized debris 40 to pass over it may increase the volume and cascading movement (rushing, ladle effect) of the debris being collected as it falls over the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 (e.g., due to the cohesive nature of the small-sized debris (particles pulling other particles across the surface of the body of water 30 into the vessel 10) and/or suction of the circulation pump(s) 184 to at least slightly lower the liquid level rearward of the IFR(s) 140 relative to the liquid level forward of the IFR(s) 140) and cause the liquid forward of the IFRs 140 to move rearward and accelerate the recovery of small-sized debris and amount of debris recovered. In fact, the use of the exemplary debris recovery system 58 may result in recovery of substantially all the small-sized debris on or near the surface of the body of water in the subject debris field(s) 36. In some embodiments, the ballasting of the IFRs 140 (e.g., control of the variable buoyancy systems 250 associated therewith) and the actuation of pumps 184 may be controlled and varied as needed, in real-time and/or automatically by one or more electronic controllers (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ).

Referring still to FIGS. 41 & 42 , one or more exemplary circulation pumps 184 of the fluid removal system 158 may be situated in any desired location, such as one or more suction chambers 340 fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment(s) 60. In this example, two submersible, variable speed circulation pumps 184 are disposed in a single suction chamber 340 rearward of the chamber 60. An example of a commercial process pump that may be used as each circulation pump 184 in some embodiments is the model SBM, 8″ hydraulic, submersible, axial or mixed-flow, 2,000 gallons-per-minute (GPM) high-volume pump sold by Hydra-Tech Pumps (e.g., 2 each, resulting in 4,000 GPM maximum intake of debris/water into the vessel 10 and water discharge from the chamber 60). Other embodiments may include only one or more than two (e.g., 3, 4, 5, etc.) circulation pumps 184, one or more banks of circulation pumps 184, one or more non-variable speed and/or non-submersible circulation pumps 184, more than one suction chamber 340, other features or a combination thereof.

The exemplary suction chamber 340 is shown separated from the chamber 60 by at least one (rear) vertical wall 90 and fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 by at least one (rear) passageway 100 that allows fluid flow past the vertical wall 90. As shown in FIG. 46 , during debris recovery operations, the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 is configured to create suction (e.g., in the suction chamber 340 and/or chamber 60) to concurrently (i) draw at least substantially or entirely sea water from the chamber 60, through the rear passageway(s) 100 and into the circulation pump(s) 184 (e.g., arrow 392) and (ii) draw debris (and typically some water) from the body of water 30, through the intake opening 102, into the inflow chamber 310 then over the IFRs 140 and into the chamber 60 (e.g., arrows 394). Thus, while the exemplary rear passageway(s) 100 between the chamber 60 and suction chamber 340 may effectively serve at least one common or similar purpose as the “suction conduit(s) 160” described above and shown in various appended figures (e.g., FIGS. 1-2, 13-20 ), one or more actual suction conduits 160 could be coupled to one or more of the exemplary circulation pumps 184, if desired. Accordingly, the compatible features of the suction conduit 160 as described and shown elsewhere herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference for these embodiments.

Referring back to FIGS. 41 & 42 , a single rear passageway 100 is shown extending between the exemplary suction chamber 340 and cargo compartment(s) 60, situated proximate to the lower end 76 of the collection chamber 60 and configured to typically be fully submersed in liquid (e.g., sea water) during operations (e.g., FIG. 46 ) to allow a vacuum to be created/maintained in the chamber 60 and/or a liquid-sealed system provided, draw at least substantially only sea water out of the chamber 60, for one or more other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the lower end 91 of the vertical wall 90 may not extend down to the hull, or lower plate, 55 of the vessel 10 (or other part of the vessel 10) that forms or serves as the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 and/or suction chamber 340. In such instance, the exemplary rear passageway 100 may be the entire space 101 extending below the lower end 91 of the vertical wall and between the walls 82, 98 that define or form the chamber 60 and suction chamber 340, respectively.

In other examples, the rear passageway(s) 100 may comprise only part of the space 101, or one or more rear passageways 100 may be formed or provided in or proximate to the lower end 91 of the exemplary vertical wall 90 (which may extend to the bottom 83 of the cargo compartment and/or suction chamber 340, hull 55 or other component) or elsewhere (closer to the lower end than the upper end of the wall 90). In other embodiments, one or more suction conduits 160 (such as described above and shown in the corresponding drawings) may also or instead extend between the cargo compartment(s) 60 and the suction chamber(s) 340 (and/or circulation pump(s) 184) and/or may fluidly couple the cargo compartment(s) 60 with the suction chamber(s) 340 (and/or circulation pump(s) 184). Thus, the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of the passageway(s) 100 fluidly coupling the suction chamber 340 and cargo compartment(s) 60 are not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. In some embodiments, a selectively moveable gate (e.g., gate 110, FIG. 47 ) may be associated with the rear passageway(s) 100 to selectively seal off or fluidly isolate the suction chamber(s) 340 from the cargo compartment(s) 60 when desired and/or for any other purposes.

Referring still to FIGS. 41 & 42 , since the suction created by the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 is configured to simultaneously remove sea water from the chamber 60 and draw debris/liquid into the inflow chamber 310 and chamber 60 (e.g., provide “active” removal of sea water from the chamber 60), substantial pumping capacity may be necessary in various debris recovery scenarios (such as mentioned above). In one exemplary application, an exemplary vessel 10 moving at approximately two knots across a debris field and having two concurrently operating suction pumps 184 without any IFRs 140 may have a rate of ingestion of water and debris up to approximately 4,000 gallons/minute.

The liquid captured by the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 may be delivered to any desired destination, such as discussed above. For example, the circulation pumps 184 may discharge liquid (e.g., entirely or substantially pure sea water) from the chamber 60 into the body of water 30 via at least one discharge opening 181. If desired, the fluid removal system 158 may include one or more discharge pipe (or hose) sections 182 extending from the circulation pump(s) 184 to the body of water 30 (or another vessel, storage tank, bladder bag etc.) for discharging the liquid. Any configuration of discharge pipe s 182 may be used. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 118 shows first and second discharge pipe sections 182 a, 182 b extending to the body of water 30 from a single suction pump 184 on opposite sides of the vessel 10, such as to at least substantially negate any thrust caused by the discharge on each side, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. However, any other components and techniques may be used for moving or transporting liquid removed from the cargo compartment(s) 60 by the circulation pump(s) 184 off the vessel 10.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 42 , in any embodiments, the debris recovery system 58 may include a debris separation system 350 configured to assist in removing recovered debris therefrom (e.g., from one or more cargo compartments 60, vessels 10, other locations). The debris separation system 350 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. In many embodiments, the debris separation system 350 includes at least one suction chamber vent 344 to allow the suction chamber 340 to be selectively at least partially vented of air/gases. For example, during flooding of the exemplary chamber 60 (and/or at any other desired times), the suction chamber vent 344 may be opened to allow air in the suction chamber 340 to escape and sea water to enter the suction chamber 340 sufficient to submerge the rear passageway(s) 100 between the suction chamber 340 and the chamber 60 and allow a vacuum to be created in the chamber 60 and/or a liquid-sealed system to be provided, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the exemplary suction chamber 340 will fill with sea water 38 to sea level 33 during flooding (e.g., FIG. 44 ) and the suction chamber vent 344 closed thereafter.

In various embodiments, the escape of air from the suction chamber 340 through the suction chamber vent 344 may, if desired, be selectively controlled with at least one suction chamber vent valve 346, cap, cover or other component. When included, the suction chamber vent valve 346 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. For example, the suction chamber vent valve 346 (and suction chamber vent 344) may be selectively opened and closed manually (e.g., accessible by operators on the top deck 54) or electronically (e.g., via electronic, or computer-based, controller). In some embodiments, the suction chamber vent valve 346 may, for example, be a suitable 3″, 300 #, ball valve. However, other embodiments may not include a suction chamber 340 and related components.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 42 , the debris separation system 350 may include at least one flooding port 354 and at least one discharge port 356, both fluidly coupled to the chamber 60. The exemplary flooding port(s) 354 is/are configured to allow the chamber 60 to be selectively filled (e.g., to sea level 33, FIGS. 44, 105 & 124 ) with sea water from the body of water (e.g., by free-flooding or active filling of the cargo compartment(s) 60 prior to debris recovery operations). For example, a single flooding port 354 is shown formed in the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 (e.g., the vessel hull 55) to provide direct fluid communication between the body of water and the chamber 60. In other embodiments, the flooding port(s) 354 may be provided at any other location(s) in the chamber 60 or elsewhere in the vessel 10 (e.g., and fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment(s) 60, such as with hoses or pipes).

In various embodiments, if desired, the flow of sea water into the collection chamber 60 through the flooding port 354 may be selectively controlled with at least one flood valve 358 or other component. The flood valve(s) 358 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. For example, the flood valve 358 (and flooding port 354) may be selectively opened and closed via a manual flood valve handle 360 (e.g., accessible by operators on the top deck 54) or electronically (e.g., via electronic, or computer-based, controller). In some embodiments, the flood valve 358 may be a suitable 3″, 150 #, flanged ball valve. In other embodiments, one or more other components, such as a remotely controllable cap, conduit, submersible fluid pump 376 (e.g., FIG. 47 ) or other component be provided instead of or in addition to the flood valve 358.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 42 , the exemplary discharge port(s) 356 may be used to allow air (and any other gases) in the cargo compartment(s) 60 to be selectively evacuated therefrom (e.g., during flooding of the cargo compartment(s) 60 and/or during debris recovery operations). The evacuation of air from the cargo compartment(s) 60 may be desirable, for example, to allow debris floating in the chamber 60 to reach up to the upper end 74 of the chamber 60 for subsequent removal therefrom, completely fill the chamber 60 with liquid, help form a liquid-sealed system, help ensure only (or primarily) sea water is drawn by the circulation pump(s) 184 out of the cargo compartment(s) 60, allow a vacuum to be created/maintained in the chamber 60, allow only or primarily debris to be removed from the cargo compartment(s) 60 by one or more debris pumps 380, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, a single discharge port 356 is provided in the chamber 60 at the upper end 74 thereof (e.g., in the top deck 54 of the vessel 10 or wall, or ceiling, 81 forming the top of the compartment 60). If desired, the exhaust of air (and/or other gases) from the chamber 60 through the discharge port 356 may be selectively controlled and/or sealed, such as with at least one valve 362 (e.g., FIGS. 47, 137 ), hatch, or cover, 622 (e.g., FIGS. 55, 102 ), door or other component. However, each among the suction chamber vent(s) 344, suction chamber vent valve(s) 346, flooding port(s) 354, flood valve(s) 358 and the discharge port(s) 356 may have any other suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation or may not be included in various embodiments.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 42 , the exemplary debris separation system 350 may include one or more air evacuators 366 configured to assist in the flooding and air (gas) evacuation of the chamber 60. In various embodiments, for example when the exemplary discharge port(s) 356 (e.g., disposed at or near the upper end 74 of the compartment 60) and the exemplary flooding port(s) 354 are open and each of the passageways 100 to the compartment 60 is submersed in liquid and/or closed off, a vacuum may be formed in the compartment 60 (creating a vacuum-sealed compartment 60), all or a desired lesser amount of air and other gases therein may be removed therefrom by actuation of one or more air evacuators 366 and the entire chamber 60 (or a desired lesser amount) may be filled with sea water (e.g., FIG. 45 ). Thereafter, during debris recovery operations in some applications, the chamber 60 could be effectively sealed (and, if desired, intermittently evacuated of any gas that may enter with inflow from the inflow chamber 310), such as to help form a liquid-sealed system. In other embodiments, a liquid-sealed system may be achievable by sealing chamber 60 (e.g., without the use of any air evacuators 366).

When included, the air evacuator(s) 366 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. In some embodiments, the air evacuator 366 includes a vacuum pump 370 (e.g., 24-volt standard vacuum pump, hydraulic drive diaphragm pump (e.g., SELWOOD PD 75 positive displacement pump)) fluidly coupled to the discharge port 356 at at least one inlet 371 so that the vacuum pump 370 can be selectively actuated to draw air (and other gases) out of the chamber 60 and exhaust it to atmosphere (or other desired destination). In other embodiments, the air evacuator(s) 366 may also or instead include at least one submersible fluid pump 376 (e.g., FIG. 47 ) configured to actively pump sea water 38 into the chamber 60 and push out the air and/or other gas therein. For example, as shown in FIG. 47 , a submersible fluid pump 376 may be fluidly coupled to one or more of the flooding ports 354 (e.g., at the lower end 76 of the chamber 60). In such instances, a selectively actuated door (e.g., gate 110) may be needed to block the passageway(s) 100 between the inflow chamber 310 and/or suction chamber 340 and the chamber 60 to help enable flooding of the chamber 60 as desired. However, the air evacuator 366 may have any other suitable form, components, configuration and operation. For example, one or more debris pumps 380 (described below) can serve as an air evacuator(s) 366 (e.g., FIGS. 52, 55, 87 ) or be used in combination, or conjunction, with one or more other air evacuators 366 (e.g., vacuum pumps 370).

Referring again to FIGS. 41 & 42 , the debris separation system 350 may include one or more debris pumps 380 configured to remove small-sized debris 40 from the chamber 60 (e.g., during or after debris recovery operations). The debris pump 380 may also be referred to herein (and other patents owned by the Assignee hereof) as an oil pump (whether or not it will be used to pump oil), debris discharge pump and variations thereof. Thus, the terms “debris pump”, “debris discharge pump”, “oil pump” and variations thereof are used interchangeably herein to refer to any pump having the common quality of being capable of removing any desired debris from one or more cargo compartments 60 that are on a vessel 10. The debris pump 380 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. For example, the debris pump 380 may be an oil pump capable of pumping liquid, slurries and small-sized solid debris 40 (e.g., up to 1.00″ or 1.50″ sized particles or larger or smaller). An example of a commercial pump that may be used as the debris pump 380 in some embodiments is the Vogelsang model VX136-210Q positive displacement, self-priming, rotary lobe, 610 GPM volume pump.

In some embodiments, the debris pump 380 may be variable speed, or multiple independently controllable debris pumps 380 may be included, such as to serve as a controllable variable during debris recovery operations, provide greater flexibility in the speed of off-loading the debris, for any other purpose or a combination thereof.

In various embodiments, the inlet 382 to the debris pump 380 may be fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 (e.g., via the discharge port 356) at or near the upper end 74 thereof, to assist in ensuring that only (or primarily) debris that floats to the upper end 74 of the chamber 60 is removed thereby, for convenience, ease of access for maintenance, adjustment or replacement, for any other purposes or a combination thereof). In other embodiments, the inlet 382 to the debris pump(s) 380 may be fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 at a location 382 a (e.g., FIG. 47 ) in the compartment 60 spaced down from the upper wall 81 of the compartment 60 (e.g., via extension 384). In various embodiments, the inlet 382 may be positioned in the chamber 60 to be submersed in debris (and maybe also water) therein substantially throughout operations (e.g., to ensure that air/gas that may enter the chamber 60 is not sucked into the debris pump 380, help provide a liquid-sealed system and/or for any other purpose).

In some configurations, the debris pump inlet 382 may be movable, such as to ensure it is submerged in debris (and/or water or other liquid) or at any other desired location of for any other purpose. For example, the inlet 382 may be on a flexible pipe fluidly coupled to the debris pump 380 and extending downwardly from a float.

Referring still to FIGS. 41 & 42 , the exemplary debris pump 380 may, if desired, be configured to off-load or deliver the recovered debris to any desired location during debris recovery operations (e.g., without at least significant, or any, interruption in debris recovery) so that, in some instances, there may be effectively no limit in the volume of debris that can be (e.g., rapidly) recovered. For example, one or more debris disposal hoses, or pipes, 386 may be coupled between the debris pump 380 and one or more other vessels (e.g., barges, ships), floating or submersed storage tanks, bags or other debris storage containers 388 (e.g., frac-tank, holding tank) any other destination (on or off shore, on or off the vessel 10) or a combination thereof. Thus, various exemplary debris recovery systems 58 may be configured to effectively remove a virtually unlimited volume of collected debris 40 during operations and not need to store the recovered debris on-board. The debris recovery system 58 may therefore, in at least some instances, be useful to continuously recover debris, separate debris from sea water and separately off-load collected debris and sea water without interruption and unlimited by volume.

Referring now to FIGS. 41 & 46 , in some embodiments, one or more vent pipes, or trunks, 372 may be associated with chamber 60 (e.g., provided over the discharge port 356). The trunk(s) 372 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. In some embodiments, the trunk 372 is configured to extend upwardly from (e.g., and above the upper wall 81 of) the chamber 60. In various instances, the trunk 372 can also, or instead, be oriented at least partially sideways (e.g., with a “—”, “L”, “S” or “T” shape). If desired, the inlet(s) 382 to the exemplary debris pump(s) 380 may be fluidly coupled to the trunk 372 near, at or upwards of the top (e.g., upper wall 81) of the chamber 60. When included, the exemplary inlet(s) 371 to the vacuum pump(s) 370 may be spaced upwardly of the inlet(s) 382.

With the inclusion of one or more exemplary vent pipes 372, air and other gases 28 may be evacuated from the cargo compartment(s) 60 (e.g., during or after free-flooding) by the vacuum pump 370, when included, or otherwise (e.g., arrows 396, FIGS. 44, 97, 101, 105, 114 ) sufficient to allow sea water/debris in the chamber 60 to then fill the compartment 60 and/or extend up into the trunk 372 to a height (e.g., internal waterline 172, FIGS. 45, 97, 97, 101, 105, 114 ) ideally above the inlet 382 to the debris pump 380, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For another example, debris (e.g., floating, small-sized debris 40) may be allowed to rise all the way to the top of the exemplary chamber 60 and into the trunk 372, which can provide for a maximum volume of debris and minimal amount of water collected in the compartment 60 and removed therefrom, and can be maintained at a height (level 172) in the trunk 372 above the inlet 382 to the exemplary debris pump 380, helping ensure (at least substantial) air is not sucked into the debris pump 380 when it is actuated, and/or for any other purposes or a combination thereof. However, the trunk(s) 372, when included, may have any other configuration and operation.

Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 46 , if desired, the debris separation system 350 may include one or more internal sensors 178, such as described elsewhere herein (e.g., to indicate the particular nature, location, height, depth, density, volume or other characteristic of debris, water and/or other contents in the chamber 60 or other location to signal when to turn on or off, slow down or speed up the debris pump(s) 380, for any other desired purposes or a combination thereof.) As mentioned, the internal sensor(s) 178 may be provided at any desired location(s). For example, one or more internal sensors 178 may be provided on one or more of the walls 81, 82, 90 inside the chamber 60 and/or inside the trunk 372 or extension 384 (e.g., FIG. 47 ).

In many embodiments, at least a first internal sensor 178 a (e.g., FIGS. 41 & 42 ) is provided inside the cargo compartment 30 (e.g., on one or more of the walls 82 approximately midway between the walls 90 and approximately 12″ (or more or less) above the top of the highest passageway 100) to indicate when the debris pump(s) 380 need to be “on” to remove debris from the compartment 60 (e.g., to assist in avoiding (more than minimal) debris being sucked into the circulation pump(s) 184). At least a second exemplary internal sensor 178 b may be provided inside the trunk 372 (or extension 384, FIG. 47 ) below the inlet(s) 382 to the debris pump(s) 380 to indicate when the debris pumps 380 should preferably be “off” (e.g., to assist in avoiding (more than minimal) sea water being sucked into the debris pump 380).

Some exemplary alternative or additional arrangements for detecting one or more characteristic of debris and/or water in any embodiment of the vessel 10, chamber 60 or other location (e.g., in the body of water 30) may include one or more water sensors 497 (e.g., FIG. 52 ), visual inspection (via camera, naked eye, etc.) by operators on the vessel 10 (e.g., through windows, periscopes, etc.), the use of cameras at the desired location(s), the use of one or more mechanical debris level indicators (e.g., configured to float on the surface of water in the chamber 60 and/or trunk 372 but not in debris (e.g., oil) and visible to operators via an extension through and above the top deck 54 or otherwise).

An exemplary embodiment of a method of debris recovery with the debris recovery system 58 of FIGS. 41-47 will now be described. FIG. 41 illustrates an exemplary state of the debris recovery system 58 and vessel 10 during transport to the debris field. When included, the exemplary port(s) 354, 356, vent(s) 344, valves 346, 358, 362 and front doors 328 may be closed and the various pumps 184, 370, 376, 380 preferably off during transport.

Referring now to FIG. 43 , upon arriving at the debris field 36 (or earlier if desired), the exemplary chamber 60 may be flooded with sea water 38, such as described above. For example, the suction chamber vent 344 and the flooding port 354 may be opened, such as by actuating the valves 346, 358, to allow air escape (e.g., arrows 398) from the suction chamber 340, as desired, and free-flooding (e.g., arrows 399) of the chamber 60 (e.g., and the inflow chamber 310 and suction chamber 340) to the desired level, such as until the height of sea water 38 in the compartment is (at least approximately) at sea level 33 (e.g., FIG. 44 ). (The discharge port 356 may or may not be open depending upon operator preference or any other variable(s)).

Referring now to FIG. 44 , the exemplary chamber 60 is shown passively free-flooded with sea water 38 to the desired level 172 (e.g., sea level 33) and above the passageways 100 to the compartment 60. The exemplary suction chamber vent 344 is typically closed and, if the vessel includes one or more front doors 328 (e.g., gates 330), one or all doors 328 are typically opened. Gas may then be passively allowed to escape or be actively pumped from the exemplary chamber 60 (e.g., at or near its upper end 74), such as described above, to help provide a liquid-sealed system, raise the level 172 of water/debris (e.g., above the inlet(s) 382 (or an alternate location 382 a thereof) to the debris pump(s) 380 (FIG. 45 ), form ideal conditions for the removal of debris from the compartment 60 during debris recovery operations, for any other purpose or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the vacuum pump 370 is turned on to remove gases from the compartment 60 (e.g., arrows 396) sea water 38 fills the chamber 60. The exemplary flooding port(s) 354 may be open or closed during air evacuation of the chamber 60 depending upon operator preference or any other variable(s).

However, any other method of and components for evacuating air/gas from the chamber 60 or otherwise at least substantially flooding or filling the compartment 60 with liquid may be used. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 47 , one or more fluid pumps 376 may be used to actively flood the chamber 60 (e.g., with sea water 38) to the desired level (e.g., completely). In such instance, it may be necessary or desirable to open the discharge port(s) 356 (e.g., with valve 362) during flooding to allow the air and any other gases in the compartment 60 to be vented or pushed out, and temporarily block the passageway(s) 100 to the chamber 60 (such as with one or more moveable doors (e.g., gates 110)) and/or the intake opening(s) 102 (e.g., with doors 328) and/or close the suction chamber vent 344, such as to fill the compartment 60 with sea water 38 to the desired height. For another example, one or more debris pumps 380 may be used to evacuate air from the upper end of the chamber 60, or air may be allowed to escape from the chamber 60 through one or more ports or openings in the ceiling 81, trunk 372 or other location.

Referring now to FIG. 45 , after the exemplary chamber 60 has been flooded as desired, the flooding port 354 (if left open) may be closed, the vacuum pump 370, fluid pump 376 (e.g., FIG. 47 ), or other air evacuator 366 may be turned off and all doors (e.g., front door 328 to the vessel 10 and gates 110 (FIG. 47 )) to the chamber 60 are opened. If desired, the inlet(s) 164 to the circulation pump(s) 184 and the inlet 382 to the debris pump(s) 380 may be sufficiently submersed in sea water 38 (e.g., to help provide a liquid-sealed system and/or for any other purposes). The exemplary vessel 10 is situated in the body of water 30 at a height so that the IFRs 140 are floating in sea water 38 in the inflow chamber 310 as desired and the exemplary debris recovery system 58 is ready for (e.g., continuous) debris recovery, separation and off-loading operations, such as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 46 , in many embodiments, during debris recovery operations, any among the position, location and transit velocity of the vessel 10, suction pressure of the circulation pumps 184, off-loading of debris through the debris pump(s) 380 and position/buoyancy of the IFRs 140 may be adjusted (e.g., dynamically, in real-time, via automated computer-based controller (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 )), based upon one or more controllable and/or non-controllable variables (if desired) to optimize the intake resistance of the IFRs 140 and/or the efficiency and effectiveness of debris recovery, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the circulation pump(s) 184 may be actuated as desired to concurrently (i) draw in (at least primarily) sea water 38 from the chamber 60 (e.g., arrow 392) and discharge it to the body of water 30 (e.g., arrow 414), (ii) draw debris (and typically some water) from the body of water 30, through the intake opening 102, into the inflow chamber 310 and over the IFRs 140, when included, (e.g., arrows 394) and (iii) draw primarily debris over the front edge 142 of the rear IFR 140 d and (e.g., steeply) down into and through the passageway 100 (e.g., arrows 394 a, 394 b) from the inflow chamber 310 to the compartment 60. In many situations, this suction of the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 and/or other variables will effectively, and possibly only slightly but importantly, lower the front edge 142 of the rear IFR 140 d and height (e.g., level 172) of debris/sea water in the inflow chamber 310 rearward of the rear IFR 140 d and cause or allow debris to rush or rapidly cascade over the rear IFR 140 d and down into the chamber 60, helping separate the incoming debris from the sea water and not mix or emulsify them together.

Depending upon the level of debris 40 in the exemplary chamber 60 (e.g., as indicated by one or more internal sensors 178 or otherwise), the exemplary debris pump(s) 380 may be actuated to remove debris from the chamber 60 (e.g., arrows 416) and offload it (e.g., arrow 418) to another vessel or any other desired destination, such as described above. Thus, in many embodiments, as long as debris in the chamber 60 is at or above a desired level and the exemplary debris pump 380 is coupled to a debris delivery destination with available storage capacity (e.g., barge, storage bladder, onshore tanks or processing center, etc.), debris can be continuously recovered, separated and off-loaded from the vessel 10. The movement and velocity of the exemplary vessel 10, buoyancy of one or more IFRs 140 and suction pressure of the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 may be varied as desired (e.g., for one or more reasons such as described above, on an on-going and/or real-time basis) throughout debris recovery operations. Of course, embodiments not including any IFRs 140 may operate similarly as above, absent the performance of the IFRs 140.

Referring again to FIGS. 41-51 , in various embodiments, the vessel 10 may collect debris in a variety of modes. For example, in some situations, the vessel 10 can be positioned stationary during debris recovery operations (e.g., in various onshore locations, still bodies of water 30). Referring to FIG. 50 , if desired and as mentioned above, one or more debris (e.g., oil) containment booms 400 may be used to increase the efficiency, speed and/or effectiveness of debris recovery operations. The containment boom 400 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. Various commercially available oil containment booms, for example, may be constructed at least partially of flexible (e.g., vinyl) material and configured to extend partially above and partially below the surface 32 of the body of water 30 (e.g., with flotation foam and weighted chain or cable). In some instances, the containment boom 400 may be coupled at one end to one of the exemplary doors 328 (e.g., at the forward-most point of that door 328) of the debris recovery system 58, around one or more patches of debris (e.g., oil) and, at its other end, to the other door 328 (e.g., at the forward-most point of that door 328). If desired, as debris is collected on the exemplary vessel 10 and/or the debris on or near the surface of the body of water 30 begins to thin, the containment boom(s) 400 can be drawn in a tighter area, drawing the shrinking debris patch closer to the intake opening 102.

Now referring to FIG. 51 , in a river, or other flowing body of water 30, the exemplary vessel 10 may, in some instances, be positioned downstream of one or more debris fields 36 and the vessel 10 facing upstream. Arrows 402 indicate the flow of the current. If desired, one end of first and second containment booms 400 a, 400 b may be coupled to one of the doors 328 (e.g., at the forward-most point thereof) respectively, and the containment booms 400 a, 400 b extended outwardly therefrom (e.g., to near the shore line) around the debris field(s) 36. For example, the other ends of the respective containment booms 400 a, 400 b may be coupled to a respective assist vessel 410 (e.g., adjacent to or upstream of the vessel 10). In some instances, the exemplary vessel 10 may be moving, stationary or alternate therebetween to stay with the floating debris, optimize debris recovery operations, etc. Depending on one or more variables, such as the velocity of the current and the size of the debris field 36, for example, the exemplary vessel 10 may drift almost freely with the current, be propelled downstream at a higher rate than the current, or moved in a forward direction so that it moves upstream against the current, as desired, in order to stay with the debris field 36 (e.g., at or near its forward edge) and, at the same time, strive to continuously recover debris. With the exemplary debris recovery system 58 (having the ability to offload debris to one or more accompanying transport vessels, barges or other destinations and other capabilities such as described herein), the vessel 10 may be capable of staying with the moving debris field and recover, separate and dispose of debris without interruption, collecting greater quantities (or virtually all) of the debris 34 on the moving water 38, as compared to other known techniques and regardless of the size of the debris field 36 and volume of debris.

Referring back to FIGS. 41-47 , when sea water 38 is drawn into the exemplary vessel 10 (without debris) by the suction of the circulation pump(s) 184, the pumps 184 may be configured to pump out the ingested sea water 38 without inhibiting other operations. Because debris (e.g., oil) and sea water recovered during typical operations with the exemplary debris recovery system 58 is not further substantially emulsified on the vessel 10 and the debris recovery system 58 can typically discharge at least substantially all of the sea water 38 it takes in, the operation of the vessel 10 and debris recovery system 58 of various embodiments is not affected by travelling though areas where no debris exists between disconnected patches of debris, allowing for the collection of debris immediately upon reaching the debris field(s) 36 and, in many instances, without the need for taking the time to deploy or use any containment booms 400. Accordingly, in modes of use of the exemplary debris recovery system 58 in one or more debris fields 36 that include multiple discontinuous or disconnected debris patches (or the debris field is broken up due to weather or other causes), the exemplary vessel 10 of various embodiments can transit, or be moved, throughout the greater area and provide continuous debris recovery often without delay or interruption or for debris containment booms 400.

It should be noted that variations of the embodiments of FIGS. 41-51 may include more, fewer or different components, features and capabilities as those described or shown herein. Further, any of the details, features, components, variations and capabilities of other embodiments discussed or shown in this patent or as may be apparent from the description and drawings hereof, are applicable to the embodiments of FIGS. 41-51 , except and only to the extent they may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 41-51 . Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided in this patent with respect to the other embodiments or as may be shown in the appended drawings relating thereto or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 41-51 .

Referring now to FIG. 52 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the chamber 60 and/or other components may be designed, configured and/or sized to help guide or encourage the separation of water and debris in the chamber 60 and the flow of debris (e.g., oil) 34 (e.g., FIG. 55 ) to the debris pump 380, prevent debris 34 from becoming trapped in upper corners (or at other locations) of the chamber 60, encourage the rising of debris 34 away from the circulation pump(s) 184 or removal of virtually all debris 34 in the chamber 60 (e.g., via the debris pump(s) 380), discourage mixing or emulsification of water 38 and debris 34, concentrate only debris 34 at the debris pump inlet 384 (e.g., FIG. 138 ), for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the upper end 74 of the chamber 60 may be at least partially upwardly sloping to contribute to one or more such purposes. An upper end 74 of a chamber 60 that is at least partially sloping upwardly is sometimes referred to herein as having a “sloping roof” 406 and may be characterized as vaulted, cathedral, funnel-shaped and the like.

If desired, the discharge port 356, or debris pump inlet(s) 382, may be at, or near, the peak, or crest, of the sloping roof 406 (see also, FIGS. 96, 99, 104, 115 ) or at dead-center of the ceiling 81, such as to help funnel (e.g., only) debris into the debris pump inlet(s) 382 and/or for any other purposes. In some embodiments, the inclusion of a sloping roof 406 can provide other advantages, such as to provide space, even an ideal location, for positioning and mounting the debris pump 380 (e.g., in the collection chamber 60, FIG. 115 ), allow for a streamlined, compact, space-efficient, modular configuration of the pod 600 and use of adjustable-position flotation tanks 85.

Referring still to FIG. 52 , the sloping roof 406 of the chamber 60, when included, may be formed in any suitable manner. In this and other embodiments, the sloping roof 406 is formed by at least part of its ceiling 81 sloping upwardly. For example, the ceiling 81 may have a generally inverted-funnel shape, sloping upwardly from at least two of the adjacent side walls 82 (e.g., vertical walls 90). For another example, one or more of the side walls 82 (e.g., vertical walls 90) may also, or instead, slope upwardly (not shown) to form a sloping roof 406, or slope up toward the discharge port(s) 356 and/or debris pump inlet(s) 382. Yet other embodiments may include a separate structure provided in the chamber 60 to form the sloping roof 406. In some cases, different portions (e.g., sides 81 a, 81 b of the upper wall 81) that form the sloping roof 406 may have differing pitches, lengths or other attributes. However, any other desired configuration may be used to form a sloping roof 406 in the chamber 60 (e.g., only one sloping side 81 a, 81 b of the ceiling 81, discharge ports 356 or debris pump inlets 382 not at dead center.) Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration or arrangement of parts to form an at least partially upwardly sloping upper end 74 of the chamber 60, or sloping roof 406, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Still referring to FIG. 52 , for another example, one or more barriers 503, such as one or more suction diffusers 504, intermediate walls, enclosures or compartments (e.g., ballast tanks 80, ballast cavities 454, engine or equipment compartments) (not shown) may extend into or occupy part of the chamber 60 and contribute to one or more of the above purposes (e.g., discourage mixing or emulsification of water 38 and debris 34), such as by slowing the flow of water 38 and debris 34 in the compartment 60. For yet another example, the height, length or width of the chamber 60 and/or trunk 372 (when included) can be designed or varied to help achieve one or more of the stated objectives, such as by allowing more space for debris 34 to rise and/or separate from water 38. If desired, the trunk 372 may be particularly shaped and/or configured (e.g., L-shaped, “—” shaped, formed with a tall height or a wide, sloped or inverted-funnel shaped mouth) to achieve one or more such purposes, such as by providing increased space therein to allow a maximum volume of debris (and minimal volume of water) to rise to the top of the chamber 60 and be removed through the debris pump inlet 382. However, any additional or different features may be provided to achieve to the desired objectives.

Referring back to FIG. 52 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, in some embodiments, when included, the internal sensor(s) 178 may include one or more water sensors 497 that detect, or determine one or more characteristic of, water at any desired location in the vessel 10 (e.g., cargo compartment 60). The water sensor(s) 497 may be used, for example, to determine the height of the top of water in the collection chamber 60 (e.g., whether air, oil and other types of debris is present). If desired, the water sensor 497 can help verify whether the chamber 60 is effectively exhausted of air (e.g., verify that a vacuum was created during initial filling of the chamber 60), determine the height and amount of oil (and/or other debris) 34 accumulating in the chamber 60 during collection operations, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the water sensor 497 may be useful to take readings on an on-going or on-demand basis, such as to help determine with some precision when to vary one or more controllable variables and/or begin and cease debris removal from the chamber 60 (e.g., so that minimal water enters the debris pump inlet(s) 382), reduce the volume of overall waste output of the debris recovery system 58 and the energy, effort and time necessary to transport, store and process it, thus improving efficiency of the debris collection operations. As mentioned elsewhere herein, the water sensor 497 may be configured to communicate with one or more computer-based or electronic controllers (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ) that can, in some situations, direct other components to take desired actions, notify operators, etc.

When included, the water sensor(s) 497 may have any suitable form, components, construction, location and operation. For example, the water sensor 497 may be a guided wave radar level sensor 498. In various embodiments, the guided wave radar level sensor 498 reads the elevation of the “top of water” relative to the height of the collection chamber 60. For example, the guided wave radar level sensor 498 may be installed at the top of the trunk 372, on the top desk 54 of the vessel 10 or any other desired locations, with its elongated probe 499 extending down into the chamber 60 to a desired depth (e.g., proximate to the bottom 83, at a desired height above the rear passageway 100 or elsewhere). One presently available exemplary guided wave radar level sensor 498 is the VEGAFLEX 81, 4 . . . 20 mA/HART, two-wire, rod and cable probe and TDR sensor for continuous level and interface liquid measurement by VEGA Grieshaber KG (www.vega.com). If desired, VEGA's VEGADIS 81 external, digital display and adjustment unit may be used with it. However, any number of these and/or other types of internal sensors 178 (e.g., oily water sensors 180, gas or air sensors, multi-medium sensors) or techniques may be used to help determine, measure or gage the nature, height, location or volume of the contents of the chamber 60.

Still referring to FIG. 52 , in yet another independent aspect of the present disclosure, as mentioned above, one or more debris pumps 380 may be used to create and/or maintain a vacuum on the collection chamber 60. For example, the debris pump 380 (e.g., rotary lobe pump) may be useful to initially create a vacuum in the chamber 60 and a separate vacuum pump 370 (e.g., diaphragm pump) used to maintain the vacuum, if necessary. If desired, the air (and any water and/or debris) that may be drawn from the collection chamber 60 during the vacuum process may be directed to a desired location. For example, one or more return lines 381 may be provided between the debris pump 380 (and/or vacuum pump 370) and the inflow chamber 310 (or other location), such as to vent the air to atmosphere and, at the same time, recirculate any contaminated water and debris extracted with the air into the debris recovery system 58 (e.g., reducing the possibly of discharging the contaminated water and debris to the environment).

In some embodiments, the debris pump 380 (and/or other components) may include fittings for at least one return line 381 and at least one debris disposal hose 386, both fluidly coupled to one or more valves (not shown) to allow selection of the desired path. For example, when pulling the vacuum on the exemplary chamber 60, the first sign of water (debris or other substances or materials) in, or exiting from, the return line 381 may provide verification that all air has been extracted from the compartment 60, a liquid-sealed system has been established and debris separation operations may commence. The exemplary return line 381 may then be closed and the debris pump 380 used to remove debris from the collection chamber 60 via debris disposal hose(s) 386. However, any other configuration of components and techniques may be used to direct the output of the debris pump(s) 380 (or other components) during or after the creation or maintenance of a vacuum in the chamber 60, help determine when a liquid-sealed system has been established and/or debris separation operations may commence or for any other purpose, if such features are included. It should be noted that, in some instances and embodiments, a liquid-sealed system may be established without creating a vacuum (e.g., FIGS. 93, 97, 100 ).

Referring now to FIGS. 52 & 53 , in a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, if desired, any suitable components and techniques may be used to help prevent the entry of all but the smallest debris and marine life into exemplary circulation pump(s) 184, encourage only water flow to the pump(s) 184, help slow or calm the velocity of liquid/debris moving through the chamber(s) 60, 340 toward the pump(s) 184, help prevent formation of a quasi-current (e.g., arrows 364) or pump-induced suction vortex therein, encourage upward flow of debris in the collection chamber 60, help lessen turbulence and the potential for emulsification of debris and water in the chamber 60, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. This may be a concern, for example, when the collection chamber 60 is relatively small, or the velocity of liquid/debris moving within the collection chamber 60, turbulence therein and/or other variables inadvertently allow or cause debris to be drawn into the circulation pump(s) 184 and/or suction chamber(s) 340. In some instances, this may occur when the vessel 10 is moving and/or the circulation pump(s) 184 are operating at high speed during debris collection, or at other times. Strong suction of the circulation pump(s) 184 could, in various situations, effectively cause a quasi-current of water and debris (e.g., arrows 364) to flow across the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 (e.g., extending from the front passageway(s) 100 entering the chamber 60 to the suction pump inlet(s) 164) and/or an undesirable pump-induced suction vortex, and potentially debris.

Still referring to FIGS. 52 & 53 , for example, one or more barriers 503, such as one or more intermediate walls, enclosures or compartments (e.g., ballast tanks 80, ballast cavities 454, engine or equipment compartments) (not shown), may be provided in or near the collection chamber 60 (e.g., in flow path 364), in other areas fluidly coupled thereto (e.g., chambers 310, 340, 466 (e.g., FIG. 87 )) or at least partially between one or more passageways 100 entering the chamber 60 and suction pump inlet 164 to help slow the velocity or encourage the flow direction, of water and/or debris therein, reduce emulsification, etc. as mentioned above. In some embodiments, the barrier 503 includes one or more suction diffusers 504. The suction diffuser 504 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, operation and location. For example, the suction diffuser 504 (e.g., suction diffuser plate(s) 509, suction diffuser box 513 (e.g., FIG. 114 ) may be configured and positioned to distribute the suction pressure created by the suction pump 184 across an area greater than the cross-sectional area of the suction pump inlet 164.

In various embodiments, the suction diffuser(s) 504 are configured and positioned to ensure everything entering the circulation pump(s) 184 must pass through the diffuser 504. For example, when the circulation pump 184 is in a suction chamber 340, the suction diffuser 504 may effectively extend over one or more passageways 100 forward of the suction inlet 164. In this embodiment, for example, the suction diffuser 504 is a suction diffuser grate, or plate, 509 effectively extending over the passageway 100 formed below the rear wall 90 that fluidly couples the collection chamber 60 with the suction chamber 540. The exemplary suction diffuser plate 509 is, in this instance, provided in the collection chamber 60 (e.g., forward of suction chamber 340) proximate to and spaced upwardly from the bottom 83 of the chamber 60. However, other embodiments may not involve a suction chamber 340 and/or the circulation pumps 184 may be in the cargo compartment 60 or other location.

Still referring to FIGS. 52 & 53 , the suction diffuser 504, when included, may be mounted, or contained, in the vessel 10 (or other location, e.g. collection tank 462, FIG. 88 ) in any suitable manner. In this embodiment, the suction diffuser 504 extends to and is secured (e.g., via bolts, welding, etc.) on its sides 505 to the side walls 82 (or other components) of the chamber 60 and similarly secured at its rear end 506 to the rear vertical wall 90 (or other component). If desired, the suction diffuser 504 may be coupled (e.g., via bolts, welding, etc.) to the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 (e.g., FIG. 115 ) or other area, such as to allow maximum space above the suction diffuser 504 in the chamber 60 (for debris to rise) or any other purposes. However, any other arrangement for providing the suction diffuser(s) 504 in the vessel 10 (or other location, such as e.g. collection tank 462, FIG. 88 ) may be used.

In some embodiments, the suction diffuser 504 may extend across a large area of the chamber 60 (or other area) to assist in reducing the velocity and/or calming the flow of water/debris moving toward the circulation pump inlet(s) 183 (e.g., across flow path 364), preventing the formation of a quasi-current (e.g., arrows 364) or vortex (e.g., near the inlet(s) 164), equalizing water/debris flow across the desired length of the chamber 60 (or other area), reducing emulsification, for any other purposes (e.g., discussed above) or a combination thereof. For example, the suction diffuser 504 may extend across approximately at least ½ the entire width and approximately at least ½ the entire length of the chamber 60 (or other area) or more or less. In other embodiments, one or more suction diffusers 504 may extend across any other portion(s) of any chamber or area and be secured, positioned and arranged in any other suitable manner. For example, multiple suction diffuser plates 509 may be piggybacked together, side-by-side or spaced-apart in the desired chamber(s).

Still referring to FIGS. 52 & 53 , in many embodiments, the suction diffuser 504 is perforated with a multitude of perforations 510 formed therein, and may have at least one perforated portion 511 through which all water entering the suction inlet 164 must pass, while helping prevent the entry of debris therein, decreasing or diffusing the velocity thereof, for any other purposes (such as described above) or a combination thereof. For example, the perforated portion(s) 511 may effectively surround the suction pump inlet 164. In the embodiment of FIG. 133 , the perforated portion(s) 511 literally surround the suction pump inlet 164 so that everything entering the suction pump 184 must pass through the perforated portion(s) 511.

Still referring to FIGS. 52 & 53 , when included, the perforated portion(s) 511 may have any suitable form, configuration, size and operation so long as they have the common qualities of including multiple perforations 510 and slowing the velocity of liquid entering the suction pump 184. In some embodiments, the total surface area of the perforated portion(s) 511 may be at least approximately 1.5-100 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the suction inlet 164, or more or less. For example, when the cross-sectional area of the suction pump inlet 164 is around 9-11 square inches, it may be desirable for total surface area of the perforated portions 511 to be as much as 700-900 square inches. For another example, when the circulation pump 184 is located in suction chamber 340, the combined cross-sectional (open) area of all perforations 510 in the perforated portion(s) 511 may be greater than the space 101 below the lower end 91 of the rear vertical wall 90 by any desired multiple (e.g., 1.5-30× or more or less). In some embodiments, the combined cross-sectional area of all perforations 510 in the perforated portion(s) 511 may be at least approximately 1.5-30 times greater than the cross-sectional are of the suction pump inlet 164, or more or less. For example, when the cross-sectional area of the suction pump inlet 164 is around 9-11 square inches, it may be desirable to have a total cross-sectional area of the perforations 510 to be as much as 150-200 square inches. Such sizing may, for example, cause the effect of dispersing out, or increasing, the effective size of the inlet to the suction chamber 340 and/or circulation pump(s) 184 and thus distribute the pump's suction pressure over a larger area to help reduce the velocity and turbulence of flow through the chamber 60, chamber 340 and or other areas and into the circulation pump(s) 184, for any other purposes (such as described above) or a combination thereof. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

Likewise, the perforations 510, when included, may have any form, configuration, location, pattern, spacing and size. In various embodiments, each perforation 510 may have diameter ranging in size between ¼-1¾ inch, or more or less, and/or the density of perforations 510 in the perforated portion(s) 511 may range from approximately 0.50-3.50 perforations per square inch of the perforated portion(s) 511, or more or less. When solid debris is recovered by the vessel 10, the perforations 510 may be sized smaller than the expected size of the solid debris, such as to help avoid such debris to enter the circulation pump 184. For another example, some or all of the perforations 510 may be open or include texture 512 (e.g., mesh, fabric, grill) extending at least partially thereacross. In this embodiment, the perforations 510 are shown each having a mesh-like texture 512 extending thereacross, such as to help prevent solid debris for passing therethrough and/or for any other purposes.

Still referring to FIGS. 52 & 53 , if desired, the perforations 510 may be formed in a specific pattern and/or configuration, such as to help equalize, or balance, the flow of water through the suction diffuser 504 during operations, prevent the create of any vortexes and/or for any other purposes (such as described above). For example, in some embodiments, greater restriction on the flow of water through the suction diffuser 504 may be desired closer to the circulation pumps 184 where the suction may be the strongest, such as with the use of smaller sized perforations 510 a and/or wider spaces therebetween, while less fluid flow restriction is desired along the length of the suction diffuser 504 (e.g., plate 509) from its rear end 506 to its front end 507, such as with perforations 510 b having a larger size and/or being spaced closer together, where suction pressure from the circulation pumps 184 should be weakest. In many embodiments, at least some of the perforations 510 c (e.g., FIG. 116 ) farthest from the intake opening(s) 102 (or front passageway(s) 100 entering the chamber 60) may have a diameter greater than that of at least some perforations 510 d closest to the intake opening(s) 102 (or front passageway(s) 100), such as to draw in more water at locations farthest away from the vessel's intake opening(s) 102 where there is likely to be less debris.

As mentioned above, the suction diffuser 504 may include or take the form of one or more suction diffuser grates, or plates, 509. When included, the suction diffuser plate(s) 509 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction and operation. Referring still to FIGS. 52 & 53 , in many embodiments, each suction diffuser plate 509 has one or more perforated portions 511, is constructed of aluminum and is at least substantially flat, but could be constructed of any other material(s) and not be flat (e.g., curved, wavy, etc.). If desired, one or more gaps 509 a between the suction diffuser plate(s) 509 and the bottom 83, either side 82 or other part of the chamber 60 (or other area) may be at least partially blocked, such as to help block the path 364 and/or help decrease the velocity of the water/debris drawn (e.g., across the chamber 60) toward the circulation pump(s) 184, create a non-direct, or tortuous path of the incoming water/debris, force debris moving along the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 (or other area) to go up, prevent inflowing debris from being sucked (e.g., directly across the bottom 83 of the chamber 60) into the circulation pump(s) 184, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, the entire gap 509 a is blocked by one or more front face plates 508.

When included, the face plate 508 may have any suitable form, configuration and location. For example, the face plate 508 may be a non-perforated, downwardly extending part of the suction diffuser plate 509 or a separate component. In certain embodiments, the face plate 508 extends between the suction diffuser plate 509 (e.g. at its front end 507) and the bottom 83 of the chamber 60. For example, the face plate 508 may be integral with the suction diffuser plate 509 or bottom 83 of the chamber 60 or be coupled thereto (e.g., with bolts, rivets, weld, epoxy, etc.). However, the face plate 508 may have a different configuration (e.g., be perforated) and be associated with these or any other components in any manner. Moreover, the gap(s) 509 a may be fully, or only partially blocked, at any desired locations (e.g., at the rear end 506, either or both sides, or one or more mid-points, of the suction diffuser plate 509) and in any suitable manner. For example, at or proximate to its front end 507, the suction diffuser plate 509 may instead abut or be coupled to a partial vertical wall provided in the chamber 60, inflow chamber 310 (see e.g., wall 90 a in inflow chamber 466, FIG. 88 ) or elsewhere.

Jumping briefly to FIGS. 114 & 115 , the suction diffuser 504 may include or take the form of one or more suction diffuser boxes 513. When included, the suction diffuser box 513 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction and operation. For example the suction diffuser box 513 may include one or more perforated portions 511 and be constructed of any suitable material (e.g., aluminum). In various embodiments, the suction diffuser box 513 may effectively surround the pump inlet 164, such as to ensure that all water drawn into the suction pump 185 passes therethrough and/or any other purposes. For example, the suction diffuser box 513 may have at least two sides 513 a having one or more perforated portions 511 thereon so that all water entering the water discharge pump 184 inlet must pass through at least one side 513 a of the suction diffuser box 513 and the suction pressure of the pump 184 is distributed over the combined area of all sides 513 a of the suction diffuser box 513. If desired, the combined cross-sectional area of all the perforations 510 on all sides 513 a of the suction diffuser box 513 may be greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet 164 by any desired multiple (e.g., 4×, 5×, 10×, 20×, 30×, 50× or 80×, or more or less). In the present embodiment, the suction diffuser box 513 has five sides 513 a, each side being a suction diffuser plate 509.

Referring back to FIGS. 52 & 54 , if desired, the debris recovery system 58 may include one or more filters, or screens, 514 to help prevent any, or more than minimal, debris from entering the circulation pump(s) 184, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. This may be particularly useful, for example, when solid debris (e.g., beads, micro-plastics) is expected to be recovered (e.g., FIG. 138 ).

When included, the filters 514 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction, location and operation. For example, the screen 514 may have a finer mesh with openings smaller in size than the perforations 510 of the suction diffuser 504 and/or the expected size of solid debris being recovered. One commercial example of material that may be useful as the filter(s) 514 is certain embodiments is the Oil Shark® Style SK400 Oleophilic Fabric Polyamide (Nylon 6,6) by Cerex Advanced Fabrics, Inc.

In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., removable) filters 514 may be piggybacked to the barrier(s) 503, spaced apart therefrom or otherwise positioned above or below one or more perforations 510 therein. In the present embodiment, the filter 514 is an oil membrane filter framed within, or attached to, one or more metal panels installed across the top of the suction diffuser plate 509. For another example, any suitable (e.g., cloth) filter may be stretched across each perforated portion 511 of the suction diffuser 504 and coupled thereto or to any other component(s) as desired. If desired, the filter(s) 514 may be (e.g., slightly) raised above the barrier 503 (e.g., suction diffuser 504), such as to maximize flow of water through the filter 514, help prevent clogging of the perforations 510, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, additional and/or different types of filters 514 may be strategically placed at any desired locations in the debris recovery system 58.

Referring now to FIGS. 55 & 56 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the debris recovery system 58 may include one or more debris processing systems 530 useful to at least partially process debris 36 recovered during operations. In some embodiments, the debris processing system 530 may be configured to reduce the size of large-sized incoming floating debris 36 so that, when fragmented, it can flow through the debris recovery system 58. For example, one or more components of the system 58 may be limited by the size of debris it can process, such as the debris pump(s) 380 (e.g., limited to processing small-sized solid debris up to 1″ or 1.5″ sized particles or more or less). For another example, a heavy concentration or conglomerate, or a sludge or slurry mixture that includes debris may accumulate in and potentially clog one or more spaces or components (e.g., trunk 372) in the debris recovery system 58. Accordingly, the ability to handle large-sized debris (by reducing its size) and thus process a greater volume of debris can expand types of debris that can be handled and the scope and effectiveness of debris collection operations.

When included, the debris processing system 530 may be configured reduce the size of incoming debris in any manner and with any suitable components. For example, one or more debris conveyors 534 (e.g., conveyor belt) may extend (or be extendable) from, or over, the vessel 10 and into the body of water 30 forward, or in the path, of one or more intake openings 102. When included, the conveyor(s) 534 may have any suitable form, construction, configuration, location and operation. For example, the conveyor 534 can be positioned to dip below the surface 32 of the body of water 30 directly forward of the intake opening 102 and generally in the path of the water/floating debris being drawn into the vessel 10 (e.g., inflow chamber 310). Thus, at least some of the water 38 and floating debris 34 coming into the vessel 10 may encounter the exemplary conveyor 534 and, when the conveyor 534 is turned on, will be drawn up onto it and conveyed to one or more destinations (e.g., debris processor 550).

Still referring to FIGS. 55 & 56 , one or more conveyors 534 may be coupled to the vessel 10 and operable in any suitable manner. For example, the conveyor 534 may be pinned to the inflow chamber cover 316, front deck and/or or other component or part of the vessel 10 to facilitate easy installation and removal and/or for any other purpose. In some embodiments, the conveyor 534 may be retractable or otherwise deployable, such as via electronic controller (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ), remote control, artificial intelligence or manually. The illustrated conveyor 534 is hydraulically actuated, but could be powered in any other manner. If desired, the conveyor 534 may be at least partially porous and/or perforated to allow water and other liquids and, if desired, small debris 34 up to a particular particle size (e.g., small-sized debris 40), to drop down through the conveyor 534 (e.g., arrow 540) and into the incoming water/debris flow path or inflow chamber 310 because it's size should pass through the debris recovery system 58. For example, the conveyor 534 may be constructed at least partially of fabric, grating or mesh having selectively sized holes.

The exemplary conveyor 534 may deliver debris conveyed thereon (e.g., large-sized debris 41) to one or more destinations in any suitable manner. If desired, the conveyor 534 may be angled upwardly over at least part of the front 42 of the vessel 10 so that it will drop debris 34 carried thereon into a debris processor 550, which will process (e.g., fragment) the incoming debris 34 and discharge it onto the vessel 10 or otherwise as desired. Thus, the size and type of debris that can be accepted on the exemplary conveyor 534 may be dictated by the capabilities of the debris processor 550.

Still referring to FIGS. 55 & 56 , the exemplary debris processor 550 may be positioned at any desired location. For example, the debris processor 550 is positioned over, or within, the inflow chamber 310 (e.g., rearward of any IFRs 140 therein) so that its output will join the flow of debris 34 floating into the chamber 60. However, the debris processor 550 could instead be located inside the chamber 60 or at any other location.

If desired, multiple similar, or different types of, debris processors 550 can be provided at any desired locations, such as back-to-back, side-by-side or at different stages in the debris recovery system 58. For example, a stage-1, or first, debris processor 550 a is positioned to receive debris 34 from the conveyor 534, such as described above, and a stage-2, or second, debris processor 550 b is positioned proximate to the discharge port(s) 356 in the chamber 60. The exemplary first debris processor 550 a may be configured for heavy-duty processing of large-sized debris 41 into smaller fragments, while the second debris processor 550 b is configured for more fine fragmenting of debris 34, such as to help ensure the size of its output debris pieces are within the acceptable limits of the debris pump(s) 380 and/or other subsequent parts or components in the debris recovery system 58.

Still referring to FIGS. 55 & 56 , when included, the debris processor(s) 550 may have any suitable form, construction, components, configuration and operation. If desired, the first debris processors 550 a may be an industrial shredder and the second debris processor 550 b an in-line grinder, but each could take any other form (e.g., shredder, macerator, combined grinder-macerator, etc.). For example, the first debris processor 550 a may be a heavy duty, large-capacity industrial shredder capable of receiving and grinding a wide variety, types and sizes of items expected to be encountered (e.g., wood, metal, fabric) into smaller fragmented pieces. An example commercial industrial shredder that can be used in some embodiments as the first debris processor 550 a is one or more among the Monster Industrial® Shred Series industrial shredders by JWC Environmental® (See e.g., https://www.jwce.com/product-category/product-categories/industrial-grinders).

In some embodiments, the second debris processor 550 b may be the same or similar as the first processor 550 a or a different unit capable of reducing debris to even smaller, or finely ground, particles acceptable by subsequent components in the debris recovery system 58 (e.g., less than 1″, or more or less, for processing by the debris pump(s) 380). Some examples of commercial grinders that can be used in various embodiments as the second debris processor 550 b are the EZstrip™ TR Munchers, Models CT201 or CT203/CT205 by NOV Process & Flow Technologies of the United Kingdom (See e.g., https://www.mono-pumps.com/mono+muncher), or the 30K & In-line Muffin Monster sewage grinders by JWC Environmental® (See e.g., https://www.jwce.com/product/30k-40k-inline-muffin-monster/).

Still referring to FIGS. 55 & 56 , if desired, any on-board debris processors 550 (and/or the debris pump(s) 380) could include a “clean-out” to collect debris items that are too big to be processed or otherwise rejected thereby. And the exemplary debris processor(s) 550 may be coupled to the vessel 10 and operable in any suitable manner. For example, the debris processor(s) 550 may be pinned to vessel 10 to facilitate easy installation and removal and/or for any other purpose. The illustrated debris processors 550 are hydraulically actuated, but could be powered in any other manner (e.g., electrically or pneumatically actuated) and controlled via electronic controller (e.g., controller 688, FIG. 140 ), remote control (e.g., with AI, circuitry, software) or in any other suitable manner.

In some embodiments, one or more mechanical feeders (not shown) or other components (e.g., robotic handler) could be strategically positioned to help feed debris into one or more exemplary debris processors 550. For example, a feeder (e.g., funnel) could be positioned over the first debris processor 550 a to help align or orient and feed extra-large, or odd-shaped, debris (e.g., a log, chair, fence post, miscellaneous debris entangled in fishing net, rope) into the unit 550 a. Also or instead, one or more operators could be on-site to help feed large or odd-shaped debris items or conglomerations into the debris processor 550 a and/or remove anything too big or not suitable (e.g., marine life or other animals) for processing in the debris recovery system 58.

Referring specifically to FIG. 56 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the vessel 10 may include, be rigidly or releasably coupled to or otherwise associated with one or more debris transport barges 560 for receiving debris collected on the vessel 10. For example, the vessel 10 may tow the debris transport barge(s) 560 or be coupled thereto, as desired, at the debris collection site 30, or at any other time or location for debris collection and offload. When the barge(s) 560 are used during debris collection, the exemplary debris recovery system 58 can effectively recover, process and offload debris without interruption until the barges 560 are filled to capacity, allowing for continuous collection of large volumes of debris 34.

When included, the debris transport barge(s) 560 may have any suitable construction, configuration, components and operation. In various embodiments, the debris transport barge 560 includes multiple transport containers 566 (e.g., frac-tank, holding tank) for holding debris offloaded from the vessel 10. For example, each transport container 566 may be a removable box positioned on the deck 562 of the barge 560 and fluidly coupled to one or more debris disposal hoses, or pipes, 386 extending from the debris pump(s) 380 (or other components) of the debris recovery system 58. In various embodiments, the debris disposal hose 386 extends over each transport container 566 and drops, or pours, the debris therein via a fully open top of the container 566 or one or more windowed covers or other passageways. One or more valves (not shown) may be used to selectively access each transport container 566, if desired.

Still referring to FIG. 56 , in some embodiments of transport containers 566 used for storing only solid debris 34 (without liquid contaminants, such as oil), at least part of the bottom of the transport container 566 may be perforated, such as to allow water to drain from the debris 34 placed therein. For example, the bottom of the transport container 566 may include (e.g., metallic) mesh or grating and/or fabric or other membrane-like material, allowing water to drain out onto the barge and/or back into the body of water 30. In some cases, the transport container(s) 566 may be raised off the barge deck 562 to allow or enhance water drainage. The debris 34 remaining in the transport container 566 may become compacted passively via gravity or, if desired, actively via tool, compactor or manually, to optimize space utilization.

In another independent aspect, one exemplary operational sequence for the direct use of the vessel 10 (e.g., FIGS. 1-57 ) at a typical debris (oil) collection area 30 may include the following. Using FIGS. 41-46 as an example for the reader's convenience, the vessel 10 may be launched and brought to the debris field, floating, for example, at a baseline height with a “DWL (Transit) Line” approximately one to three feet (1′-3′) from the bottom of the hull 55. The exemplary chamber 60 may be passively flooded to a “Flood Line” level at a height that allows the passage of sea water 38 therein (or into the inflow chamber 310, when included). In some embodiments, one or more vents pipes 372 may be opened, or one or more air evacuators 366 (e.g., vacuum pump(s) 370 and/or debris pump(s) 380) activated, to evacuate air from the chamber 60, adding liquid depth in the chamber 60 to facilitate separation of debris/water and increasing liquid capacity therein and/or helping create a liquid-sealed system.

The exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 (e.g., two submersible process suction pumps) may be activated, drawing water from the bottom of the chamber 60 and typically causing debris 34 (e.g., oil) and typically some additional sea water 38 to be drawn into the intake opening 102 of the vessel 10 and into forward part of the chamber 60 (or inflow chamber 310). The debris and water (with minimal emulsification or mixing, hopefully) will be drawn into the exemplary collection chamber 60, wherein the debris 34 will rise to the top while water is drawn out from the bottom.

Sill referring to FIGS. 41-46 , if included, one or more internal sensors 178 in the collection chamber 60 may, for example, read and communicate the level (or other characteristic) of debris or water in the chamber 60, which information can be used to vary operations. Whenever desired (e.g., when the debris has accumulated in the chamber 60 to a desired depth), debris can be drawn out of the chamber 60 and directed to any desired destination. For example, one or more debris pumps 380 (e.g., fluidly coupled to one or more trunks 372) at or proximate to the top of the chamber 60 can be activated to remove debris 39 from the chamber 60 and direct it to the desired destination(s) (storage tank or cavity, barge, bladder bag, etc.). Likewise, whenever desired (e.g., when the lower level of debris in the chamber 60 is up at a desired height), the removal of debris can be slowed or stopped to allow more debris to accumulate and build up in the chamber 60, and so on. For example, one or more debris pumps 380 can be slowed or de-activated. Depending upon the embodiment, to assist in debris recovery, throughout recovery operations the vessel 10 may be moved, sped-up, slowed and stopped, the circulation pumps 184 and or debris pumps 380 may be turned on, off and varied in speed, the buoyancy and position of any variable buoyancy IFRs 140 (if included) can be varied, as desired.

Jumping briefly to FIGS. 96-98 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the vessel 10 may be configured with only one collection chamber 60 that occupies minimal space on the vessel 10, or is smaller than on other embodiments or prior known systems. A reduced-size cargo compartment 60 is sometimes referred to herein as a “small” collection chamber 704. Reducing the amount of space on the vessel 10 occupied by the cargo compartment can reduce the overall size, cost, complexity and maintenance of the vessel 10, free up on-board space for other components or activities, increase the instances and locations (e.g., shallower, smaller debris collection areas 30) where the vessel 10 can be used, allow substantially smaller vessels 10 to process the same or greater volumes of debris as compared to other known devices, provide other advantages or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the small chamber 704 could extend across no more than twenty percent (20%) the length of the vessel 10 and fifty percent (50%) the height of the vessel 10, or be approximately ten percent (10%), or more or less, the size of other cargo compartments 60 on other embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 1-51 ) and prior known systems. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples.

A small cargo compartment 704 may be possible with implementation of one or more features disclosed in this patent or which are apparent therefrom. For example, the small chamber 704 may only need to provide sufficient space for debris 34 to rise above water 38, such when the circulation pump 184 (e.g., continuously or as-needed) removes water from the chamber or vessel 10, and the debris pump 380 (e.g., continuously or as-needed) removes debris from the chamber 60. The space needed for debris 34 to rise above water 38 in the chamber 704 may be minimized, for example, when water and debris can be efficiently, optimally and continuously separated and removed from the small cargo compartment 704 and/or vessel 10.

Referring still to FIGS. 96-98 , for other, more specific examples, the space needed for debris 34 to rise above water 38 in the small cargo compartment 704 may be minimized due to the employment of one or more controllable variables and/or inflow optimization (e.g., to minimize on-board emulsification of water and debris and maximize inflow of mostly or entirely debris), a sunken cargo compartment 700 (described below), sloping roof 406, ideal operating position of the vessel 10 (e.g., maintaining the internal water level 172 at or above the ceiling 81 of the small cargo compartment 704 during collection operations, described below), liquid-sealed system or due to the flow path of the incoming debris (from the body of water 30 into an inflow chamber 310 then into the small cargo compartment 704, FIG. 105 ), use and positioning of one or more of IFRs 140, vertical walls 90 and/or passageways 100, location of the inlet 164 to the suction pump(s) 184 and/or inlet 382 to the debris pump(s) 380, use and location of one or more barriers 503 (e.g., suction diffusers 504, FIGS. 52, 137 ), various other features or a combination thereof.

Referring still to FIGS. 96-98 , in various embodiments, the small cargo compartment 704 may only need to house one or more internal sensors 178, debris pump inlets 382 and related inlet pipes 610. At minimum, even the debris pump inlet 302 and associated inlet pipe 610 may not be in the chamber 60, such as when they are located in or associated with a trunk 372 (e.g., FIG. 52 ). Likewise, there may be configurations that do not even require any internal sensors 178 in the chamber 60.

Otherwise, the vessel 10 in FIGS. 96-98 may include features and components that are the same as, or similar to, features and components of other exemplary vessels 10. Accordingly, all the details provided and shown herein with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-95 and 99-140 , or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated herein by reference in the entireties to the extent not in conflict with any other details, features or capabilities explicitly provided herein or as may be apparent from this specification and the appended drawings. Likewise, all the features and components for any embodiment herein may be applicable to any other embodiment herein to the extent not in conflict with any other details, features or capabilities explicitly provided herein or as may be apparent from this specification and the appended drawings.

In yet another independent aspect of the present disclosure, exemplary remote debris recovery arrangements 420 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 58-95 . Referring specifically to FIGS. 58-60 , in an exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement 420, the intake opening(s) 102 and possibly other components of the debris recovery system 58, such as one or more IFRs 140 and inflow chambers 310, are remote from the chamber 60 and other parts of the debris recovery system 58 (e.g., the fluid removal system(s) 158, debris separation system(s) 350, debris processing system 530). As used herein, the terms “remote” and variations thereof in this context thus mean that one or more referenced feature(s) (e.g., intake openings) of the debris recovery system 58 are provided in one or more components that are located separately from other components of the debris recovery system 58. The remote components (e.g., one or more intake openings 102, IFRs 140 and inflow chambers 310) may, in some instances, be coupled to the other components of the debris recovery system 58 only by one or more suction conduits 480, tethers, power cables, hydraulic lines, umbilical, hoses, pipes, other conduits or the like (e.g., the suction conduit(s) 480).

In various remote debris recovery arrangements 420, the remote components (e.g., one or more intake openings 102, IFRs 140 and inflow chambers 310 are housed in one or more floating debris collection, or ingestion, heads 440 that is remote from and fluidly coupled to at least one collection system 460. The exemplary ingestion head 440 is unmanned and configured to be disposed in the body of water 30 to receive or ingest debris (and/or water, other liquid, substances, materials, etc.) therefrom and transmit it to the collection system 460. For the reader's convenience, the debris 34, water, other substances, chemicals, materials, solids, etc. ingested by the ingestion head 440 are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “intake” of the ingestion head 440.

In some instances, the ingestion head 440 may have only one or more intake openings 102, IFRs 140 and inflow chambers 310. In other embodiments, the ingestion head 440 may include any desired combination of fewer or different features, or additional features such as one or more motors or engines, a propulsion system, one or more debris grinders 550, suction pumps 184, debris pumps 380 or other pumps, internal sensors 178, external sensors 694, IFR variable buoyancy system 250 components, electronics (e.g., for automated control, or movement, of the ingestion head 440, IFRs 140 and other components, etc.), such as shown and described in connection with other embodiments herein. For another example, some variations of the ingestion head 440 may not include any IFRs 140 or inflow chamber(s) 310.

Still referring to FIGS. 58-60 , the exemplary collection system 460 is configured to receive output from the ingestion head 440 and may store and/or separate ingested substances/materials, direct the debris, water and/or other substances or materials to one or more desired locations, perform other functions, or a combination thereof. However, in other embodiments, the collection system 460 may include other or different components. For example, the collection system 460 may merely consist of one or more pits, tanks, cavities, containers, bladder bags or other suitable structures or areas for the storage, processing or other disposition of water, debris and/or other substances or materials from the ingestion head 440.

It should be noted that the collection system 460 could include any one or more of the features, components, capabilities, variations, operations, purposes and details of the exemplary debris recovery systems 58 shown and described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-57 and 61-140 , except and only to the extent may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 58-60 . Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided in this patent with respect to the other embodiments or as may be shown in the appended drawings relating thereto or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 58-60 . For example, the collection system 460 may include one or more collection chambers 60, a fluid removal system 158, a debris separation system 350 and/or other parts of a debris recovery system 58.

In various embodiments, the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 may be used at onshore debris recovery locations (e.g., FIGS. 58-61, 83-86 & 139 ) and/or offshore locations (e.g., FIGS. 83-86 ). The collection system 460 could be onshore, or land-based, such as a (temporary or permanent) stationary facility or mobile skid, truck or trailer-mounted our could, be on another vessel 10 (e.g., vessels 10 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-57 and 83-86, 96-98 ) or offshore (e.g., another vessel 10, platform, etc.).

In FIG. 61 , for example, the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 is shown used at a land-based, or on onshore location, such as to perform debris recovery, or clean-up, at a facility 424, such as a tank farm, chemical plant, refinery, processing plant, storage facility, etc. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary facility 424 is a tank farm, but use of remote debris recovery arrangements is not limited to use only at tank farms. As used herein, the terms “tank” and variations thereof when used in connection with a “tank farm” refer to and include one or more storage tanks, silos, plant or refinery structures, or any other type of container that may house or store anything that can be debris. The terms “tank farm” and variations thereof mean one or more areas that include one or more tanks. The tanks 426 may contain oil, chemicals, by-product(s), slurries, beads or other solids, substances or materials that could, in at least some cases, be contaminating if not properly contained, handled, transported, stored, used, etc. For the purposes the present disclosure and appended claims, the contents of the tanks 426 are sometimes referred to herein as the “product” and are treated herein as debris 34. The contents of the tanks 426 are in no way limiting upon the present disclosure, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The illustrated facility 424 has multiple (product storage) tanks 426 surrounded by one or more peripheral berms 428 designed to encircle and contain spillage or leakage of debris 34 from the tanks 426 to prevent it from spreading elsewhere, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. As used herein, the terms “berm” and variations thereof mean one or more berms, walls, levees, shoulders, hills, ridges, embankments, other structures or a combination thereof designed to contain spillage or leakage of debris 34 (e.g., product) from one or more tanks 426 or other source or area. In this example, the body of water 30 is one or more areas (ditch, pool, sump, outfall canal) formed or surrounded by the berm 428, or surrounding the berm 428 and the sea water 38 may be any combination of product (e.g., that escaped from one or more tanks 426), water and/or other substances and materials (e.g., other debris, fire suppressant foam or particles, fire preventive chemicals, etc.). Thus, in various debris recovery operations, the “body of water” may take on any variety of different forms and the “sea water” can be any substances/materials therein. Accordingly, as mentioned above, the present disclosure is not limited by the type, nature, location, configuration or other details of what is referred to herein as the “body of water” and the “sea water” or “water”.

Moreover, the present disclosure and appended claims are in no way limited by the characteristics, contents or any other details of the facility or the type or the nature, type and characteristics of the debris (e.g., product) 34, water 38 and intake of the ingestion head 440, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. Further, the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 may be used at any other onshore or offshore debris collection area 30 (e.g., ditches, outfall canals, sumps, lakes, rivers, bays, tunnels, caverns, oceans, etc.). Thus, the location of the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 is not limiting upon the present disclosure or and the appended claims or claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Referring again to FIGS. 58-61 , the exemplary ingestion head 440 may be fluidly coupled with the collection system 460 in any suitable manner. In various embodiments, the intake passes through a single exit port 450 in the ingestion head 440 and into respective passageways 100 extending through the first and second proximal suction conduits 480 a before merging in a single passageway 100 extending through the distal suction conduit 480 b to one or more collection chambers 60 of the collection system 460. The suction conduits 480 may be rigid, flexible, take any other form or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the ingestion head 440 may have multiple exit ports 450 and a different type, arrangement and quantity of suction conduits 480 and passageways 100. Moreover, additional or different components and techniques may be used. Thus, the inclusion, form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of the suction conduit(s) 480 and passageway(s) 100 is neither limited nor limiting upon the present disclosure and its claims or the claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

If desired, one or more containment booms 400 may be associated with, or part of, the ingestion head 440 (e.g., FIG. 71 ) and useful to encourage debris/liquid flow into one or more intake openings 102 from the body of water 30, increase the efficiency, speed and/or effectiveness of debris recovery operations, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. The containment boom 400 may, for example, include any of the features, characteristics or uses of the elongated booms 190 and/or containment booms 400 described above and/or shown in other figures appended hereto to the extent they are not incompatible with this embodiment. However, the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of containment booms 400 is not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure or it claims, or any claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. Moreover, various embodiments may not involve the use of any containment booms 400.

Referring now to FIGS. 62-64 , the ingestion head 440 may have any desired form, configuration, components, construction and operation and be associated with the collection system 460 in any suitable manner. For example, the ingestion head 440 may include at least one peripheral outer wall 444 that surround one or more inflow chambers 310 and may help form, or provide, one or more intake openings 102 thereto. The outer wall(s) 444 may have any suitable configuration and operation. For example, the outer wall 444 may be integrally formed of a single component, or constructed of multiple segments or components associated together (e.g., by weld, adhesive, mechanical connectors, joints, etc.). The illustrated outer wall 444 is formed in a pentagonal (5-sided) configuration and provides five intake openings 102, but could instead have a circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal or any other configuration and provide any other number of intake openings 102 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and so on).

At least one IFR 140 is shown provided in the exemplary ingestion head 440 proximate to each intake opening 102 and pointing inwardly toward the inflow chamber 310 to help control the inflow of debris 34, water, other liquids, substances and/or materials through the associated intake opening(s) 102 and into the inflow chamber 310, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. Any desired number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and so on) of any combination of pivoting-type, sliding-type, fixed-buoyancy or variable buoyancy IFRs 140 (e.g., having any of the features and capabilities described elsewhere herein), and/or any other form of IFR 140, may be included in the ingestion head 440. All features, variations, components, capabilities, purposes and other details associated with the IFRs (a/k/a wave dampeners) 140 provided elsewhere herein are applicable with respect to the IFRs 140 of FIGS. 58-95 and hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. An arrangement having multiple IFRs 140 in the ingestion head 440 (or other vessel 10 or component) is sometimes referred to herein as a cluster of IFRs 140.

Referring still to FIGS. 62-64 , when included in the exemplary ingestion head 440, the IFRs 140 may be arranged in any desired cluster or configuration (e.g., side by side, front-to-rear). For example, each IFR 140 may be a pivoting-type IFR pivotably coupled (e.g., with one or more pivot or hinge pins 148) at or near its rear end 140 a to the outer wall 444 (or other part) of the ingestion head 440 so that its front end 140 b will float at or near the surface 32 of the body of water 30 and/or the surface of liquid in the inflow chamber 310. During typical operations, the exemplary ingestion head 440 may be positioned in the body of water 30 so that the rear end 140 a of each pivoting-type IFR 140 is generally below the surface 32 of the body of water 30 and debris 34 must pass over the front edge 142 of the IFR 140 to enter the inflow chamber 310. In many instances, it may be desirable to maintain the IFRs 140 in, or near, an upper-most buoyant position. However, the type, configuration, size, location and operation of the IFR(s) 140 are not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure or its claims, or any claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The exemplary ingestion head 440 may include multiple intake openings 102 and/or IFRs 140 to allow debris to be collected from select or multiple sides of the ingestion head 440 (e.g., without moving the ingestion head 440) to assist in rapid ingestion of debris 34, allow debris collection to be selectively focused in the debris field or body of water 30, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, five intake openings 102 and associated IFRs 140 are provided around the entire perimeter of the ingestion head 440, allowing concurrent collection from any direction up to 360 degrees around the perimeter of the ingestion head 440. In other embodiments, one or more of the IFR's 140 may be selectively retained in a closed position (e.g., 140 e, FIGS. 97, 99 ), such as when it desired to focus debris collection at select intake openings 102 or sides of the ingestion head 440.

Still referring to FIGS. 62-64 , in some applications, inflow optimization can be achieved or enhanced with the combined length, or surface area, of the intake opening(s) 102 and/or front edges 142 of the IFRs 140 in the ingestion head. For a simplified example, assume that all intake into the ingestion head 440 must pass over the edge of one of the IFRs 140. If the total approximate suction into the intake openings 102 over the IFRs 140 (e.g., caused by one or more suction pumps 184) of an ingestion head is 1,000 gallons/minute and the total surface area of the front edges 142 of all the IFRs 140 is approximately one foot (1′), approximately 1,000 gallons of liquid will be drawn over about a one-foot (1′) length of IFR edge 142 every minute. In contrast, if the total surface area of the front edges 142 of all the IFRs 140 is expanded to ten feet (10′), for example, then approximately 1,000 gallons of liquid may be drawn across an approximate ten foot (10′) length of IFR edges 142 each minute. Generally, because the water/debris can flow over a larger surface area in the latter case, the average velocity of flow over any IFR 140 should generally be less than in the former case (where the inflow is concentrated over a smaller area and therefore may be drawn in at greater velocity). In the latter example, since less intake (floating debris/water) will be drawn over each IFR 140, a shallower thickness of the surface 32 of the body of water 30 should be drawn in and, thus, less water.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 62 & 63 , the exemplary ingestion head 440 includes one or more exit ports 450 fluidly coupled between the inflow chamber 310 and the collection system(s) 460, such as via one or more (e.g., fluid) passageways 100 extending through one or more suction conduits 480 (or other components). The exit port 450 may have any suitable form, configuration, shape and location. In this embodiment, a single exit port 450 has a substantially circular shape. For another example, the exit port 450 shown in FIGS. 80-82 has an oblong or elongated circular, or oval shape.

If desired, the ingestion head 440 may be positionable in one or more desired operating positions (e.g., so that the front end 140 b of one or more IFRs 140 will float at or near the surface 32 of the body of water 30 and/or surface of liquid in the inflow chamber 310). This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, the ingestion head 440 may float in the body of water 30 in the desired operating position(s). In various embodiments, the ingestion head 440 includes one or more ballast cavities 454 that can assist in providing the desired buoyancy of the ingestion head 440. An exemplary ballast cavity 454 is shown placed between each adjacent pair of intake openings 102, but any number of ballast cavities 454 can be included in any desired locations. If desired, one or more ports 524 and associated plugs 526 (e.g., FIGS. 91 & 95 ) may be provided for providing access to one or more of the ballast cavities 454 (e.g., to increase or decrease the buoyancy of the ingestion head 440).

Still referring to FIGS. 62 & 63 , when included, the ballast cavities 454 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. For example, one or more ballast cavities 454 may include foam or other floating material, air or a combination thereof. If desired, one or more of the ballast cavities 454 may be selectively controllable (e.g., by insertion and/or removal of water, air, other fluids, etc.) to ensure the desired ballasting of the ingestion head 440 during operations, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, for example, it may be necessary or desirable to adjust the buoyancy of the ingestion head 440 during operations, such as when the contents of the suction conduit(s) 480 or type of debris changes.

Additional or different ballasting components (e.g., floats, air jets, etc.) may be included in the ingestion head 440 or associated therewith (e.g., by tether) at any desired location. For example, one or more ballast cavities 454 may instead or also be provided on the underside of the ingestion head 440. Accordingly, additional, different or no ballast cavities 454 may be provided, and when the ingestion head 440 is configured to float, any suitable form, configuration and operation of components may be used. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited by the nature, type, configuration, components, location, operation or inclusion of ballast cavities 454 or other ballasting components associated with the ingestion head 440, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 65-67 , instead of or in addition to floating, the ingestion head 440 may be supported in its desired operating position(s) in any suitable manner. For example, the suction conduit(s) 480 (and/or other components coupled to the ingestion head 440) may hold, or support, the ingestion head 440 in one or more desired operating positions (e.g., FIG. 67 ). However, any other components and techniques may be used to position the ingestion head 440 in its operating and/or other positions.

If desired, the ingestion head 440 may be selectively moveable (e.g., via gravity, electric motor, hydraulic or pneumatic control systems, etc.) between multiple positions. For example, the ingestion head 440 may be moveable generally up and down between at least one stowed position (e.g., FIG. 65 ) and at least one operating position (e.g., FIG. 67 ). In one or more stowed positions, the ingestion head 440 may be at any desired location, such as at, or above, ground level 430 (e.g., FIG. 65 ) or below ground level 430 (e.g., FIGS. 68 & 69 ). In the embodiments of FIGS. 68-71 , the ingestion head 440 in a stowed position rests in a cavity or docking station 432 (e.g., concrete or steel form) or other space(s) or structure(s) formed or provided at the desired location. For other examples, the ingestion head 440 may be stored, stowed or mounted in stowed position on another vessel, carrier or structure.

Referring still to FIGS. 68-71 , the ingestion head 440 may be retained in, or moveable to and from, multiple positions by gravity, manually or electronically via one or more latches, doors or other retainers, power-driven actuators (e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, electric) and/or electronic controllers (e.g., controller 688, FIGS. 139-140 ), remote control, robotics, AI, in any other suitable manner or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ingestion head 440 may be released, or moved, from a stowed position automatically upon the presence, or particular volume, of water or debris in the body of water 30. For example, the ingestion head 440 may be configured to simply float out of a stowed position into an operating position as the body of water 30 fills with product, other debris, water and/or other substance(s), then drop back down to a stowed position via gravity as the surface 32 of the body of water 30 recedes. However, any other techniques and components may be used to move the ingestion head 440 between stowed and operating positions, if such capability is included.

In some embodiments, one or more suction conduits 480 and/or other components (e.g., arms, guides, etc.) may be configured to allow, cause or assist in the desired movement of the ingestion head 440 between positions. For example, the ingestion head 440 may be pivotably coupled to one or more stationary distal suction conduits 480 b (or other components) to allow the ingestion head 440 to move between positions. In certain embodiments, the ingestion head 440 is pivotable relative to a single exemplary distal suction conduit 480 b shown anchored in position, such as by being buried in or otherwise secured to the earth.

Still referring to FIGS. 68-71 , the ingestion head 440 may be pivotably coupled to one or more distal suction conduits 480 b in any suitable manner. For example, one or more proximal suction conduits 480 a extending from the ingestion head 440 may be pivotably coupled to the distal suction conduit(s) 480 b. In many embodiments, two parallel, spaced-apart proximal suction conduits 480 a are provided (e.g., to assist in maintaining the stability and position of the ingestion head 440 and/or for any other desired purposes). The exemplary proximal suction conduit(s) 480 a (or other components) may be pivotably coupled to distal suction conduit(s) 480 b (or other components) in any suitable manner, such as with one or more swivel pipe joints 482 (e.g., FIGS. 72-73 ), flexing members or the like. The illustrated ingestion head 440 and proximal suction conduits 480 a can thus pivot relative to the distal suction conduit 480 b, allowing the proximal suction conduits 480 a to follow the ingestion head 440 as it moves up and down, such as described above. If desired, the exemplary ingestion head 440 may also or instead be pivotably coupled to the proximal suction conduit(s) 480 a, such as with one or more swivel pipe joints 482, flexing members or the like, to help provide or maintain a desired (e.g., horizontal) position of the ingestion head 440 (e.g., relative to the surface 32 of the body of water 30).

To cause, allow or accommodate the desired movement of the ingestion head 440, the exemplary suction conduit(s) 480 may, for example, include rigid, flexible, spooled, telescoping or otherwise expandable/contractable tubing or hose. However, other embodiments may include any other desired number, type and configuration of suction conduits 480 or other components configured to allow, cause or assist in the desired movement of the ingestion head 440 in any suitable manner. Thus, the inclusion, type, configuration and operation of components useful to assist in moving the ingestion head 440 are not limiting upon the present disclosure or the appended claims or the claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

In many embodiments, the ingestion head 440 may be moveable in any desired combination of directions (up, down, sideways, forward, rearward, etc.) across the body of water 30. For example, the ingestion head 440 may be self-propelled or towed, moved by another vessel, crane or other mechanism, pulled or pushed in any other manner (e.g., with wires, ropes or other mechanisms, manually or automated), or a combination thereof. In some instances, the ingestion head 440 may be selectively moved or steered (e.g., to the debris field in the body of water 30) by an operator, robotics or electronical controller (e.g., via AI or software, remote control or other automated technique) and/or one or more intake openings 102 may be selectively closed (e.g., by closing the associated IFR(s) 140, FIGS. 40, 97, 99 ) to optimize debris collection efforts, focus collection efforts at one or more particular sides of the ingestion head 440, increasing the velocity of intake into the open intake opening(s) 102, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 74 , if desired, In another independent aspect, the ingestion head 440 may be configured to maintain the exit ports 450 therein submerged in liquid during debris collection operations, such as to assist in providing a liquid-sealed system and/or for any other purposes. The exit port(s) 450 may be retained submerged in liquid during operations in any suitable manner. For example, the ingestion head 440 may include at least one at least substantially sealed, substantially liquid-filled, vacuum cavity 496 extending around the exit port(s) 450 and which can maintain the exit port 450 submersed in liquid during operations. In many embodiments, the vacuum cavity 496 is formed between one or more inflow chamber covers 316 and the exit port 450. For example, at least one inner (e.g., ring-shaped) wall 492 may be configured to surround the exit port 450 and extend upwardly from the bottom surface 488 of the inflow chamber 310 to a desired height below the inflow chamber cover 316 and at least one outer (e.g., ring-shaped) wall 494 may extend downwardly from the inflow chamber cover 316 radially outward of the inner wall 492 to a desired height below the upper edge 492 a of the inner wall 492 (and above the bottom surface 488 of the inflow chamber 310). However, the vacuum cavity 496 may be formed in any other manner or not included.

If desired, the ingestion head 440 may be equipped with one or more closable ports 520 (e.g., FIGS. 91-92 ) to the vacuum cavity 496, such as to allow air to be selectively purged or discharged from the vacuum cavity 496 (when included) and/or for any other purposes. For example, one or more ports 520 (e.g., FIGS. 91-95 ) may extend through the inflow chamber cover 316 and into the vacuum cavity 496 and have a bleed valve 518 associated therewith.

Referring back to FIG. 74 , as long as the liquid level in the exemplary vacuum cavity 496 remains above the upper edge 492 a of the inner wall 402 during operations (see also, FIG. 62 ), the exit port 450 will remain submerged in liquid (even if the entire vacuum cavity 496 is not void of gas). This can be achieved, for example, by back-filling the exemplary suction conduit(s) 480 with liquid (water) until water extends beyond the outer wall 494 in the inflow chamber 310 and placing the ingestion head 440 in an operating position in the body of water 30 with its intake openings 102 open. Retaining the exemplary ingestion head 440 at the surface 32 of the body of water 30 so that liquid and debris can flow into the inflow chamber 310 should retain the exit port 450 submerged in liquid. However, any other components and techniques may be used to retain the exit port 450 submerged in liquid during operations. For example, the exit port 450 may be maintained submerged in liquid during operations without the ingestion head 440 having inner and outer walls 492, 494 or a vacuum cavity 496, such as by ensuring the inflow chamber 310 contains liquid throughout operations. In other embodiments, it may not be necessary, critical or desirable to maintain the exit port 450 submersed throughout operations.

Referring briefly to FIG. 62 , if desired, the vacuum cavity 496 could also or instead serve as part of a fire snuffer 490 to submerge virtually all debris 34 flowing into the exit port 450 in liquid and extinguish burning debris 34 (or have any other purposes). In some embodiments, the only passageway into the vacuum cavity 496 may be the space 496 a extending below the lower edge 494 a of the outer wall 494. Thus, the incoming debris 34 must pass through that exemplary space 496 a (e.g., void of air or other gas) along its intake flow path 500 to the exit port(s) 450 (FIG. 74 ). As long as the liquid level in the vacuum cavity 496 remains above the upper edge 492 a of the inner wall 402 during operations, such as described above, the lower edge 494 a of the outer wall 494 and (liquid-only) space 496 a should remain submerged in liquid, causing the incoming debris 34 to be submerged and (hopefully) extinguished when burning (even if the entire vacuum cavity 496 is not void of gas).

Referring to both FIGS. 62 & 74 , when one or more exemplary inner walls 492 is included, the incoming debris 34 may be forced through a tortuous path 500 and submerged longer, assisting in extinguishing any burning intake and/or for any other desired purposes. Thus, after the intake passes under the lower edge 494 a of the exemplary outer wall 494 on its way to the exit port(s) 450, it should then have to travel up and around the upper edge 492 a of the inner wall 402 and then back down to the exit port 450. So long as the liquid level in the vacuum cavity 496 remains above the upper edge 492 a of the inner wall 492, such as described above, the entire tortuous path of the incoming debris 34 around the inner snuffer wall 492 should be submerged in liquid.

In some instances, such as shown in FIGS. 78-79 , the greater the distance Di between the inner and outer walls 492, 494, the longer the burning intake may be submerged and more likely it will be extinguished. However, the fire snuffer 490 can have any other form, configuration and operation and debris 34 may be fully submerged and/or burning debris extinguished in any other manner. When the exemplary ingestion head 440 is configured to ingest and assist in extinguishing burning debris 34, any desired components that may be exposed to high temperatures may, if desired, be formed of sufficiently heat-resistant material, such as Wnr.1.4762 (H-14)/AISI 446 (e.g., heat-resistant up to 1,200° C.) or AISI 446/1.4762 by METALCOR (heat-resistant ferritic chromium stainless steel with aluminum (e.g., heat-resistant up to 1,150° C.), any other materials with similar properties or coated with sufficiently heat-resistant material.

Referring now to FIGS. 74-76 , the intake openings 102 may have any desired form, configuration, location and operation. For example, each intake opening 102 may be the entire space 102 a extending between (i) the exemplary inflow chamber cover 316 (forming its upper boundary), (ii) the side edges 458 of the adjacent ballast cavities 454 (forming its side boundaries) and (iii) the upper edge 446 of the outer wall 444 of the ingestion head 440 and/or the rear end 140 a or other part of the corresponding IFR 140 (forming its lower boundary). In other embodiments, one or more intake openings 102 may, for example, comprise only part of the space 102 a. For another example, the intake opening 102 may have no upper and/or side boundaries. Thus, the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of the intake opening(s) 102 is not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure or the appended claims, or claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Likewise, the inflow chamber cover(s) 316, when included, may have any suitable form, size, configuration, construction, orientation, operation and purpose. Referring to FIGS. 75-79 , for example, the inflow chamber cover 316 may be at least partially transparent, or see-through, to provide visibility into the inflow chamber 310 by one or more operators, cameras and/or for any other purposes. In various embodiments, the inflow chamber cover 316 includes a non-perforated plate 318 configured to abut or extend across the uppermost edge 456 of the ingestion head 440 around the inflow chamber 310. In such instance, the uppermost edge 456 of the ingestion head 440 is at the top of the ballast cavities 454, but could be formed on other, or additional, parts or areas of the ingestion head 440. The exemplary inflow chamber cover 316 thus covers the entire inflow chamber 310 and forms the upper boundary of each intake openings 102 (e.g., FIGS. 62, 74 ).

The exemplary inflow chamber cover 316 may be integral to the ingestion head 440, or temporarily or permanently coupled thereto (e.g., by weld, adhesive, mechanical connectors, any other technique or a combination thereof). If desired, the inflow chamber cover(s) 316 may be removable or openable, such as to provide access into the inflow chamber 310, allow repair and/or replacement, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. However, the inflow chamber cover(s) 316 could have any other form, shape, configuration (e.g., be perforated) and operation. Thus, the present disclosure and its claims, or the claims of any patents related hereto, are not limited to the inclusion of, or form, configuration, construction, orientation and operation of the inflow chamber cover 316, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Jumping briefly to FIGS. 91-95 , in another independent aspect, some embodiments one or more IFR(s) 140 may be a free-floating IFR 515. For example, the free-floating IFR 515 may be a float ring 516 used instead of other IFRs 140 in an ingestion head 440 of a remote debris recovery arrangement 420, such as to simplify construction and operation of the ingestion head 440, reduce the number of parts that can fail, simplify maintenance, for any other suitable purposes or a combination thereof. It should also be noted that one or more free-floating IFRs 515, if desired, may be used in any other type and configuration of vessel 10.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 91 & 92 , the float ring 516 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, location and operation. For example, a single float ring 516 may be configured to sit in the inflow chamber 310 in or around the periphery thereof and inwards of and proximate to the intake openings 102. If desired, the float ring 516 may be sized to have a snug, or near-snug, fit against the wall 445 that surrounds the inflow chamber 310, such as to prevent the float ring 516 from moving (e.g., radially inwardly, becoming crooked) from the desired location thereof.

The exemplary float ring 516 is designed to free-float in liquid in the inflow chamber 310 so that a desired upper portion 517 thereof will float and extend above the surface of non-moving liquid in the inflow chamber 310 and may effectively serve as a wall to separate (non-moving) liquid/debris outside the ingestion head 440 from liquid/debris inside the inflow chamber 310. The float ring 516 may also configured so that when there is sufficient suction of water and/or debris into the intake openings 102 from the body of water 30, the float ring 516 will be pulled down sufficiently to allow floating debris (and maybe some water) to pass over it into the inflow chamber 310 and act similarly as the IFR 140 of other embodiments. Accordingly, all features, operation, advantages, benefits, capabilities and purposes associated with the IFRs (a/k/a wave dampeners) 140 (e.g., FIGS. 1-90, 96-140 ) are applicable with respect to the float ring 516, except and only to the extent they may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 91-95 . Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided herein and/or shown with respect to the IFR 140, or as may otherwise be apparent from any part of this patent, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 91-95 .

Referring to FIG. 93 , the float ring 516 may be a single integral item or include multiple components or portions coupled together in any suitable manner. Further, the exemplary float ring 516 may be buoyant in any suitable manner. For example, the float ring 516 may include (or be associated with) one or more floats 144 (e.g., foam, buoyancy chambers 152). If desired, the buoyancy cavity 152 or other float(s) 144 may be variable, so that the buoyancy of the float ring 516 can be selectively changed. For example, the float 144 may include different sized foam sections releasably attached to the inner circumference of the float ring 516.

Referring back to FIGS. 80-82 , in another independent aspect, in some instances, inflow optimization can be achieved or enhanced by distributing the suction pressure (e.g., originating in collection system 460) throughout the path of inflowing water/debris in the ingestion head 440 to decrease the inflow velocity. For example, if the combined width, or diameter, of two proximal suction conduits 480 a, each having a diameter (or width) 483, is greater than the diameter or width 481 of the single distal suction conduit 480 b, the suction pressure should be distributed across both proximal suction conduits 480 a, decreasing the velocity of inflow thereat. For another example, if the width, or diameter, 493 of the exemplary exit port 450 is greater than the combined diameters, or widths, 483 of the proximal suction conduits 480 a, the suction pressure should be dispersed at the exit port 450, decreasing the velocity of inflow thereat. For yet a further example, if the width or diameter of the inner wall 492 is greater than the width or diameter 493 of the exit port 450 and/the width or diameter 494 b of the outer wall 494 is greater than that of the inner wall 402 or exit port 450, the suction pressure can be distributed over the upper edge 492 a of the inner wall 402 and lower edge 494 a of the outer wall 494, respectively, decreasing the velocity of inflow thereat. Finally, the suction pressure can be distributed over the combined diameter, or length, 102 b of each of the intake openings 102, decreasing the velocity of inflow thereat.

Now referring to FIG. 83 , in yet another independent aspect, the exemplary collection system 460 of the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 may have any suitable form, configuration and components and include any suitable components for collecting, separating and/or processing debris from one or more ingestion heads 440 or performing any other desired functions. For example, as mentioned above, another vessel 10 may be useful as the collection system 460 of a remote debris recovery arrangement 420 at any desired onshore (e.g., inland waterway, tank farm, swamp, wetland, crater, earthen cavity, ditch, sump, river, shallow inland waterways tunnels, caverns) or offshore (e.g., ocean, bay) location. In these sorts of remote debris recovery arrangements 420, the collection system 460 may thus include any one or more of the features, components, capabilities, variations, operations, purposes and details of the exemplary debris recovery systems 58 described and shown elsewhere in this patent. Accordingly, all the details of debris recovery systems 58 in this patent are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Still referring to FIG. 83 , such an arrangement may be useful, for example, when the other vessel 10 cannot directly access the debris and, for example, may be parked, dry-docked, positioned nearby, etc. For another example, the other vessel 10 may be used with one or more ingestion heads 440 is a remote debris recovery arrangement 420 to expand the vessel's zone of collection (e.g., into multiple debris fields) beyond the immediate vicinity of the other vessel 10 in conjunction with, to supplement or in place of debris collection by the other vessel 10. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more ingestion heads 440 is shown deployed remote (or spaced-apart) from, and fluidly coupled to the other vessel 10 (e.g., barge 12) to direct its discharge to it for processing on the other vessel 10.

The other vessel 10, such as any of the embodiments described above, may be used for debris collection itself and easily adaptable to (e.g., even concurrently) receive intake from the ingestion heads 440. The other vessel 10 may receive intake from the ingestion head(s) 440 in any suitable manner. For example, the other vessel 10 may be fluidly coupled to the ingestion heads 440 with one or more suction conduits 480 or other components. In this embodiment, one or more couplings 436 is provided to secure at least one suction conduit 480 extending from the ingestion head(s) 440 to the other vessel 10. The illustrated couplings 436 are retractable flanges that releasably secure the suction conduit(s) 480 (e.g., hose) to the other vessel 10 so that intake from the ingestion head 440 can flow through one or more passageways 100 in the conduit(s) 480 onto the other vessel 10. However, the couplings 436 and/or other components for assisting in coupling one or more ingestion heads 440 with another vessel 10 could take any other form.

Still referring to FIG. 83 , discharge from the exemplary ingestion heads 440 may be directed to any desired location(s) on the other vessel 10. In some embodiments, the suction conduit 480 extends directly into the chamber 60, bypassing the inflow chamber 310. Such an arrangement may be suitable, for example, when the ingestion head 440 includes one or more IFRs 140 that provide sufficient IFR action. For another example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 84 , intake from the ingestion heads 440 may instead be directed into the inflow chamber 310 of the other vessel 10, which, in this instance, does not have any IFRs 140. In some instances, the IFRs 140 on the other vessel 10 may be removed when receiving intake from the ingestion head(s) 440.

Now referring to FIGS. 85-86 , if desired, the intake from the ingestion head(s) 440 may be directed through one or more vacuum manifolds 580 on the other vessel 10 (e.g. in the inflow chamber 310). When included, the vacuum manifold 580 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. For example, one or more suction conduits 480 may be releasably coupled to one or more ports 582 (e.g., camlock fittings) provided in the vacuum manifold 580 and which can be capped when not in use. For another example, the vacuum manifold 580 may provide one or more fluid-sealed portions 310 a of the inflow chamber 310 (or other part of the other vessel 10), such as to support a liquid-sealed system and/or for any other purposes. In various configurations, the vacuum manifold 580 includes one or more (e.g., solid) plates configured to extend horizontally or angularly over the rear-most part of the inflow chamber 310 to cover the adjacent passageway 100 into the chamber 60 and provide a substantially fluid-tight seal over the fluid-sealed portion(s) 310 a.

In some instances, the exemplary vacuum manifold 580 may be releasably coupled (e.g., with fastener(s)) to one or more surfaces forming the inflow chamber 310 (or other part of the other vessel 10) to secure its position during use, seal one or more portion(s) 310 a of the inflow chamber 310 (or other part of the other vessel 10), be removable for stowage during non-use, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the vacuum manifold 580 may be movable between one or more operating and stowed positions, permanently mounted in an operating position or integral with the other vessel 10. If desired, the vacuum manifold 580 may be at least partially transparent, or see-through, to allow the use of cameras or visibility to operators on the other vessel 10 to observe one or more conditions in the portion(s) 310 a or for any other purposes. The vacuum manifold 580 may have any other compatible features of the inflow chamber cover 316 described and shown elsewhere herein.

Referring now to FIG. 87 , in various remote debris recovery arrangements 420, the collection system 460 includes one or more collection tanks 462 having one or more collection chambers 60 therein (e.g., FIGS. 58-61 ). When included, the collection tank 462 may have any suitable form, configuration, location and operation. For example, the collection tank 462 may be a commercially available or custom-manufactured tank or other container. As described above, the exemplary connection tank 462 may be fluidly coupled to the ingestion head(s) 440 via one or more passageways 100 extending through one or more suction conduits 480. For example, a single distal suction conduit 480 b (from one or more ingestion heads 440) is shown fluidly coupled to the collection tank 462 at the front end 42 thereof at one or more inlet ports 464 proximate to the upper end of the collection tank 462.

In many embodiments, it may be preferable to instead position the inlet port 464 closer to the bottom 83 of the collection chamber 60 (e.g., inlet port 464 a). In some embodiments, multiple inlet ports 464 may be provided at different locations on the connection tank 462 to provide optional inlet locations, connect multiple suction conduits 480 to the collection tank 462 (e.g., from one or multiple ingestion heads 440) for any other purposes or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the collection tank 462 may include any number of inlet ports 464 at any desired locations and coming from any desired sources. Moreover, the collection chamber(s) 60 of the collection system 460 could be fluidly coupled to one or more ingestion heads 440 in any other manner.

Still referring to FIG. 87 , the collection tank 462 may, for example, simply store the inflow from the ingestion head(s) 440 in the collection chamber(s) 60, such as for later disposal or to route the inflow to one or more desired locations. In many embodiments, the collection tank 462, at its front end 42, includes at least one inflow chamber 466 that receives the intake arriving from the ingestion head 440. The inflow chamber 466 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, operation and purpose (e.g., such as those of the inflow chamber 310). For example, the inflow chamber 466 may be provided to help decrease the velocity of the incoming inflow, allow the settling and separation process of water/debris to begin before entering the chamber 60, allow, discourage reduce, or prevent emulsification of water and debris as it enters the collection tank 462, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. If desired, one or more other surfaces or components, such as vertical walls 90 (e.g., that directs the inflow upward, downward or in any other tortuous path) may be provided in or form the inflow chamber 466 for any such purpose(s).

In this and other embodiments, the inflow chamber 466 is at least partially separated from the chamber 60 by at least one vertical wall 90 and fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 by at least one (e.g., fluid) passageway, or opening, 100 (e.g., located proximate to the bottom 83 of the chamber 60) that allows fluid flow past the vertical wall 90. This exemplary vertical wall 90 and associated passageway(s) 100 between the inflow chamber 466 and chamber 60 may have the same or similar features, configuration, operation, uses and benefits as the vertical wall 90 and passageway 100 described and shown in the patent with respect to the inflow chamber 310 and cargo compartment(s) 60 of any other embodiments, which descriptions are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. If desired, the passageway(s) 100 between the inflow chamber 466 and cargo compartment(s) 60 may be typically fully submerged in liquid during operations (e.g., to allow a liquid-sealed system), for one or more other purposes or a combination thereof). However, in other embodiments, any desired number, form, configuration and location of, or no, inflow chambers 466 and associated vertical walls 90 and passageways 100 may be included.

Referring now to FIGS. 87-90 , in many embodiments, one or more additional or different features may be provided to help decrease the velocity of the water/debris entering the collection tank 462 (or other components), allow the settling and separation of water/debris to begin before entering the chamber 60, allow, discourage reduce, or prevent emulsification of water and debris as it enters the collection tank 462, provide a tortuous path of the incoming water/debris, prevent the inflowing debris to be sucked (e.g., directly across the bottom 83 of the tank 462) into any associated circulation pump(s) 184, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. One or more such features may be particularly useful when an exemplary inlet ports 464 is closer to the bottom 83 of the collection tank 462. For example, in FIG. 88 , at least one (e.g., upwardly extending, partial) vertical wall 90 a, and in FIG. 89 , an upwardly angled conduit section 472 (e.g., 90 degree elbow joint) coupled to the inlet port 464 a, are provided in the inflow chamber 466 to serve one or more such purposes. For another example, such as shown in FIG. 90 one or more (e.g., custom-fabricated) wide-mouth transitions 474 may be provided at the inlet port 464 to help decrease the velocity of the intake entering the collection tank 462, reduce emulsification, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. If desired, any part of the collection tank 462 (e.g., the chamber 60) may include one or more barriers 503 (e.g., suction diffusers 504, FIGS. 52-54, 114-119, 133-135 ). However, these components may take any other form or may not be included.

Referring again specifically to FIG. 87 , the exemplary fluid removal system 158 (of the collection system 460) may include one or more circulation pumps 184 situated in one or more cargo compartments 60 of the collection tank 462, one or more associated suction chambers 340 or elsewhere. In many embodiments, two submersible, variable speed circulation pumps 184 are disposed in a single suction chamber 340 rearward of the chamber 60. Other embodiments may instead include only one or more than two (e.g., 3, 4, 5, etc.) circulation pumps 184, one or more banks of circulation pumps 184, one or more non-variable speed and/or non-submersible circulation pumps 184, more than one or no suction chamber 340, other features or a combination thereof.

The exemplary suction chamber 340 is shown separated from the chamber 60 of the collection tank 462 by at least one vertical wall 90 and fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 by at least one (e.g., fluid) passageway 100 that allows fluid flow past the vertical wall(s) 90. During debris recovery operations, the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 are configured to create suction in the suction chamber 340, chamber 60, inflow chamber 466 (if included) and the suction conduit(s) 480 to (ideally concurrently) (i) draw debris (and typically some water) from the body of water 30, through the intake opening 102, over the IFR(s) 140 (if included) and into the inflow chamber(s) 310 of the ingestion head 440 (e.g., FIGS. 62, 74 ) and into the cargo compartment(s) of the collection tank 462 and (ii) draw at least substantially water from the chamber 60 and pump it out of the collection tank 462 to any desired destination(s). In other embodiments, (i) and (ii) may not be concurrent or may be intermittent and/or additional pumps may be used for performing (i) and/or (ii). Moreover, any other components may be used to perform the debris collection process.

Referring still to FIG. 87 , the vertical wall(s) 90 and passageway(s) 100 between the suction chamber 340 and chamber 60 in the collection tank 462 may have the same or similar features, configuration, operation, uses and benefits as the vertical wall 90 and passageway 100 described above with respect to the suction chamber 340 and chamber 60 of previously described embodiments. For example, a single passageway 100 may be provided that extends between the suction chamber 340 and cargo compartment(s) 60, is situated proximate to the lower end 76 of the chamber 60 and configured to typically be fully submersed in liquid during operations and, if desired, allow a vacuum to be created/maintained in the chamber 60 during operations, help support a liquid-sealed system, draw at least substantially only water out of the chamber 60, for one or more other purposes or a combination thereof. For another example, the lower end 91 of the vertical wall 90 may not extend down to bottom 83 of the chamber 60 and/or suction chamber 340.

While the exemplary passageway(s) 100 between the inflow chamber 466 and/or suction chamber 340 (if included) and cargo compartment(s) 60 may effectively serve at least one common or similar purpose as the “suction conduit(s) 160” described above and shown in various appended figures (e.g., FIGS. 1-2, 13-20 ), one or more actual suction conduits 160 could, in this embodiment, be coupled to one or more of the exemplary circulation pumps 184, if desired. Accordingly, the compatible features of the suction conduit 160 as described and shown elsewhere in this patent are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for these embodiments.

In some embodiments, one or more IFRs (e.g., IFRs 140, FIG. 34, 41, 91 ) may be provided in any the inflow chamber 466 and/or chamber 60 (or other location) of the collection system 460 to help separate debris and water therein, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. If desired, one or more selectively moveable gates (e.g., gates 110, FIGS. 3-18, 47 ) may be associated with one or more of the passageways 100 in the collection tank 462 to selectively seal off or fluidly isolate the inflow chamber 466 from the cargo compartment(s) 60 as desired, serve as a “sliding”-type IFR (e.g., IFR 140, FIGS. 35-39 ), for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 87 , the exemplary remote debris recovery arrangement 420 may include a debris separation system 350 configured to assist in removing recovered debris from the chamber 60 and/or collection tank 462. The debris separation system 350 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, operation, variation and purposes, such as those described above and shown herein with respect to other embodiments. For example, the debris separation system 350 of these embodiments may include at least one discharge port 356 and related components, such as to allow air in the cargo compartment(s) 60 to be selectively evacuated therefrom, debris floating in the chamber 60 to reach up to the upper end 74 of the chamber 60 for subsequent removal therefrom, help ensure only (or primarily) water is drawn by the circulation pump(s) 184 out of the cargo compartment(s) 60 during debris separation operations, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. At least one air evacuator 366 (or other components) configured to encourage flooding, filling and/or air evacuation of the chamber 60 and/or one or more debris pumps 380 configured to remove small-sized debris 40 from the chamber 60 (e.g., during or after debris recovery operations) may be included. At least one exemplary suction chamber vent (e.g., vent 344, FIGS. 41 & 42 ) and related components may be included to allow the suction chamber 340 to be selectively at least partially vented of air to allow flooding and/or liquid-sealing of the exemplary chamber 60, suction conduits 480 and ingestion head 440, formation of a liquid-sealed system and/or for any other purposes. At least one flooding port 354 and related components (e.g., FIGS. 43, 96, 104 ) may be included to allow the chamber 60 to be selectively filled with liquid and/or for any other purposes.

Still referring to FIG. 87 , when included, the exemplary debris pump 380 may, if desired, be configured to off-load or deliver the recovered debris to any desired location during debris recovery operations (e.g., without at least significant, or any, interruption in debris recovery) so that there is effectively no limit in the volume of debris that can be (e.g., rapidly) recovered. For example, one or more debris disposal hoses, or pipes, 386 may be coupled between the debris pump 380 and one or more tanks, bags or other debris storage containers 388 (e.g., FIGS. 58-61 ), any other destination or a combination thereof. Thus, the exemplary debris recovery system 58 may be configured to effectively remove a virtually unlimited volume of collected debris 40 during operations, not need necessarily to store the recovered debris within itself and be used continuously to recover debris, separate debris from water/other liquid and separately off-load collected debris and water without interruption and unlimited by volume.

In some embodiments, one or more trunks 372 may be associated with (e.g., provided over) the discharge port(s) 356 in any desired manner. For example, the trunk 372 may extend upwardly from (e.g., and above the upper wall 81 of) the chamber 60 and/or may start inside the chamber 60, extend at least partially sideways or have any other configuration. If desired, the inlet(s) 382 to the exemplary debris pump(s) 380 may be fluidly coupled to the trunk 372 upwardly of the top (e.g., upper wall 81) of the chamber 60. In some instances, air may be evacuated from the chamber 60 sufficient to allow water/debris in the chamber 60 to then fill the compartment 60 and extend up into the trunk 372. Floating debris (e.g., small-sized debris 40) may be able to rise all the way to the top of the exemplary chamber 60 and into the trunk 372 (e.g., providing for a maximum volume of debris collected in the compartment 60 and removed therefrom). However, the trunk(s) 372, when included, may have any other configuration and operation.

Still referring to FIG. 87 , as mentioned above, the exemplary debris separation system 350 may include one or more internal sensors 178, such as to indicate that water or debris in the chamber 60 is at a particular height, depth and/or volume to turn on or off or speed up or slow down the debris pump(s) 380, for any other desired purposes or a combination thereof. Alternative or additional arrangements for determining one or more characteristics of debris/water in the chamber 60 (or other location) may include visual inspection (via camera, naked eye, etc.) by operators (e.g., through windows, periscopes, etc.), mechanical debris level indicators (e.g., configured to float on the surface of water in the chamber 60 and/or trunk 372 but not in debris (e.g., oil)) visible to operators or otherwise.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber 60 inflow chamber 310, suction conduit(s) 480 or a combination thereof of the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 may be selectively pre-flooded or maintained with liquid (e.g., water) to a desired level at all times or as desired (e.g., FIGS. 58 & 62 ). For example, referring to FIG. 62 , it may be desirable to maintain liquid in the inflow chamber 310 above the upper edge 492 a of the inner wall 492 and/or the lower edge 494 a of the outer wall 494 of the vacuum cavity 496 to help support a liquid-sealed system and/or for any other purposes. The inflow chamber 310, suction conduit(s) 480, collection chamber 60 or a combination thereof may be selectively pre-flooded or maintained with liquid in any suitable manner. For example, the ingestion head 440 and/or one or more suction conduits 480 may be coupled to a liquid (water) source for selective filling or flooding of any combination of the inflow chamber 310, suction conduit(s) 480 and collection chamber 60. In some instances, a hose, pipe or tubing from a liquid source may be inserted into ingestion head 440. For another example, in some embodiments, the components may be back-flooded with liquid from the collection system 460.

Referring now to FIGS. 88 , the collection system 460 may include a debris separation system 350, such as described above and shown with respect to other embodiments (the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). For example, one or more debris processors (e.g., processor 550 b), such as a debris grinder, may be provided at any desired location in the debris recovery system 58.

The water (and/or other liquids) discharge from the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 may be delivered to any desired destination, such as a separate water storage tank 468 and/or for recirculation (e.g., to the facility 424 or body of water 30) (e.g. FIGS. 58-61 ). For example, the fluid removal system 158 may include one or more discharge pipe (or hose) sections 182 extending from the circulation pump(s) 184 to the water storage tank 468, body of water 30 or other location. However, any other components and techniques may be used for moving or transporting water or other liquid removed from the cargo compartment(s) 60 by the circulation pump(s) 184.

In another independent aspect, in various embodiments of remote debris recovery arrangements 420, the position (and movement) of each IFR 140 in the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 (e.g., FIGS. 62 & 74 ) and its intake resistance, the rate of inflow/volume of debris (and some water) and debris/water ratio entering the inflow chamber 310 may be regulated and varied as desired by selectively controlling one or more “controllable” variables, similarly as described above with respect to other embodiments. Some potential examples of controllable variables are the direction and speed of movement (if any) of the ingestion head 440, buoyancy of the exemplary IFR 140, the use of one or more IFR variable buoyancy mechanisms (such as described above), activity of, such as the amount of suction created by, the circulation pump(s) 184 (e.g., FIG. 87 ), manipulating one or more of valves in the fluid removal system 158, removal of debris from the collection system 460 (e.g., through one or more debris pumps 380) or a combination thereof.

Depending upon the particular embodiment of the debris recovery system 58 and conditions of use, any one or more of the controllable variables may be evaluated and/or varied as desired (e.g., in real-time, on an ongoing basis). One or more “non-controllable” variables can also influence the position (and movement) of each IFR 140 in the inflow chamber 310, and its intake resistance, the rate of inflow/volume of debris (and some water) and debris/water ratio entering the inflow chamber 310 and can be factored in (e.g., in real-time, on an ongoing basis when deciding on the manipulation or use of one or more controllable variables). Some potential examples of non-controllable variables include environmental factors (e.g., wind, rain, wave action in the body of water 30, etc.), the type or nature (e.g., density, viscosity, thickness, composition and depth) of liquid and debris in the body of water 30 and inflow chamber 310, such as described above.

In yet another independent aspect, in many embodiments of remote debris recovery arrangements 420, the debris recovery system 58 of the of the collection system 460 may not at least substantially mix or emulsify the incoming debris and water (e.g., due to the intake resistance and/or wave dampening effect caused by the IFR 140, use of a liquid-sealed system, one or more controllable variables and/or inflow optimization features), allowing the debris to rise above the water in the chamber 60. These capabilities of various embodiments of the present disclosure will make separation of debris and water easy, achievable and not overly onerous or time-consuming, allow sufficiently clean water (e.g., with hydrocarbon concentration of less than 3.6 PPM (parts-per-million units of water) or less than some other desired amount, such as 10 PPM, 5 PPM, 4 PPM etc.) to be discharged from the chamber 60 to the environment and thus free up more space for debris in the collection system 460, allow the collection of a higher ratio of debris to water, provide other benefits, or a combination thereof.

It should be noted that those components and features of the remote debris recovery arrangement 420 described or shown herein with respect to FIGS. 58-95 which have like names, reference numerals, components, capabilities, purposes or appearances as any components and features described or shown in this patent with respect to the other embodiments herein (FIGS. 1-57, 96-140 ) can include any or all of the same features, components, characteristics, variations, capabilities, operation, advantages, benefits and other details thereof, except and only to the extent they may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 58-95 . Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided herein and/or shown with respect to FIGS. 1-57 and 96-140 , or as may otherwise be apparent from any part of this patent, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 58-95 .

Different exemplary remote debris recovery arrangements 420 may be purpose-designed or equipped for recovering primarily or only liquid or solid (e.g., plastic) debris, for onshore or waterborne operations, for use in small or large bodies of water 30 or any combination thereof. Likewise, different exemplary other vessels 10 may be designed for only direct waterborne debris recovery operations or for use with ingestion heads 440 as part of a remote debris recovery arrangement 420, for recovering only liquid (e.g., oil) debris or solid (e.g., trash) debris, for use in small (e.g., inland) or large bodies of water 30 or any combination thereof. For example, an exemplary small-version other vessel 10 may be configured for direct recovery of liquid (e.g., oil) debris in small bodies of water and easily, quickly configurable to also or instead accommodate solid debris and used in a remote debris recovery arrangement 420 to receive debris intake from one or more ingestion heads 440. For another example, the other vessel 10 or other collection system 460 may be a combination model for handling both liquid and solid debris. Yet another example may be another vessel 10 or other collection system designed specifically for continuous solid trash collection.

It should be noted that variations of the embodiments of FIGS. 52-98 and 114-115 may include more, fewer or different components, features and capabilities as those described or shown herein. Further, any of the details, features, components, variations and capabilities of other embodiments discussed or shown in this patent or as may be apparent from the description and drawings hereof, are applicable to the embodiments of FIGS. 52-98 and 114-115 , except and only to the extent they may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 52-98 and 114-115 . Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided in this patent with respect to the other embodiments or as may be shown in the appended drawings relating thereto or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 52-98 and 114-115 .

Referring now to FIGS. 99-140 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, additional embodiments of vessels 10, referred to herein as debris recovery pods 600, are shown. It should be noted that the features of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-98 are equally applicable to these embodiments and vice versa to the extent not in conflict with any other details, features or capabilities explicitly provided herein or as may be apparent from this specification and the appended drawings. Accordingly, the description and illustrations with respect to FIGS. 1-98 are incorporated herein in their entireties for the embodiments of FIGS. 99-140 .

FIGS. 99-102, 103-106 and 107-138 illustrate three exemplary embodiments of pods 600, respectively, but the pod 600 is not limited to these configurations or the details thereof. Likewise, any features discussed herein specifically with respect to one of the illustrated pod embodiments apply equally to the others. Accordingly, various features common to all three (and other) embodiments of pods 600 and other vessels 10 will now be described in the context of FIGS. 99-102 so that the following discussion of FIGS. 99-102 applies equally to the embodiments of 103-106 and 107-138 (and other embodiments of vessels 10).

Referring to FIGS. 99-102 , the pod 600 may have any suitable form, configuration, component, operation and use. In some instances, the pod 600 may be a (e.g., unmanned, semi-submersible) variation of the above-described embodiments of vessels 10. For example, the typical pod 600 includes one or more components of the exemplary debris recovery systems 58 previously described and shown, such as at least one chamber 60, intake opening 102 and inflow (intake) chamber 310, all having any suitable form, configuration, components, operation and location. The pod 600 could be configured to be omnidirectional, where it can recover debris on multiple sides or around the entire perimeter thereof, or only from one side (unidirectional). For example, the illustrated pod 600 has intake openings 102 on multiple sides and can thus recover debris concurrently from multiple directions, while the pod 600 of FIGS. 107-116 has its intake opening(s) 102 only at the front 42.

In various embodiments, the chamber 60 and/or other components may be configured to help guide or encourage the separation of water and debris therein, the flow of debris (e.g., oil) 34 (e.g., FIG. 102 ) into the debris pump 380, prevent debris 34 from becoming trapped in an upper corner (or at other locations) of the chamber 60, encourage the rising of debris 34 away from the circulation pump(s) 184, allow removal of virtually all debris 34 in the chamber 60 (e.g., via the debris pump(s) 380), discourage mixing or emulsification of water 38 and debris 34, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the chamber 60 may have a sloping roof 406, such as described elsewhere herein.

Referring still to FIGS. 99-102 , in some embodiments, the pod 600 may be configured to optimize and reduce the overall size thereof and the space therein. For example, only one collection chamber 60 may be included. For another example, the suction chamber 340 (e.g., FIG. 96 ) may not be included, so the only one bulkhead, or vertical wall, 90 (e.g., between the inflow chamber 310 and compartment 60) will be needed in the pod 600 and the circulation pumps 184 can, if desired, be located in the collection chamber 60. To allow successful debris/water separation in such condensed, compact configurations (without the long fluid flow path through the collection chamber 60, past at least two bulkheads 90 and into a suction chamber 340 before entering the circulation pump inlet 164), a smaller-sized circulation pump 184 and/or more robust suction diffuser 504 (e.g., suction diffuser box 513) may be used.

The exemplary pod 600 may include one or more outer walls 444, which may have any suitable configuration and operation. For example, the outer wall 444 may be integrally formed of a single component, or constructed of multiple segments or components associated together (e.g., by weld, adhesive, mechanical connectors, joints, etc.). The illustrated outer wall 444 is formed in a square configuration and provides four intake openings 102, but could instead have a cylindrical, circular, rectangular, hexagonal, heptagonal, pentagonal (5-sided), octagonal or any other configuration and provide any other number of intake openings 102 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and so on).

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , if desired, one or more IFRs 140 (having any of the features, capabilities and other details as described and shown herein with respect to other embodiments) may be associated with each, or certain, of the intake opening(s) 102 and inflow chambers 310. For example, a single IFR 140 may be associated with each among multiple intake openings 102 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) formed in, or associated with, the outer wall 444 of the pod 600 at different locations around the perimeter of the pod 600, respectively, with all the intake openings 102 fluidly coupled with a common inflow chamber 310. In various embodiments, the IFRs 140 may be pivotably coupled to the outer wall(s) 444 of the pod 600 (or other location) and extend into the inflow chamber 310(s). In some embodiments, the IFRs 140 may be securable in a closed position (e.g., for transit, non-use, dewatering, cleaning, etc., FIGS. 40, 97, 99 ). However, any other configuration of IFRs 140 may be used.

As mentioned, one or more exemplary bulkheads, or vertical walls, 90 may be provided between, and at least partially separate, the inflow chamber(s) 310 from the cargo compartment(s) 60. The bulkhead 90 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, operation and location, such as described and shown elsewhere herein in connection with other embodiments. For example, a single bulkhead 90 may extend between a single inflow chamber 310 around the perimeter of a single collection chamber 60. In some embodiments, the bulkhead may be circular in overall shape or have another shape (square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.).

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , at least one (e.g., fluid) passageway, or opening, 100 may be associated with the exemplary vertical wall(s) 90 to allow fluid and debris flow past the associated vertical wall(s) 90. The passageway(s) 100 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, operation and location, such as described and shown elsewhere herein in connection with other embodiments. In various embodiment, the passageway 100 may be positioned to allow or force all debris entering the chamber 60 from the intake opening(s) 102 to travel down to the chamber 60 then up in the chamber 60 toward the desired destination (e.g., debris pump inlet 382).

If desired, the passageway(s) 100 may be configured to be fully or substantially submersed in liquid (e.g., FIG. 102 ) during operations, such as to optimize debris collection operations, allow the chamber 60 to stay completely or substantially full of liquid and/or debris, minimize emulsification of water and debris during operations, allow a vacuum to be created/maintained in the chamber 60, help provide a liquid-sealed system, for one or more other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the passageway(s) 100 may be located below the height of the desired destination (e.g., debris pump inlet 382), closer to the lower end 76 than the upper end 74 of the chamber 60, at or near the lower end 91 of the wall(s) 90, a combination thereof or at any other desired location(s). In many embodiments, the lower end 91 of the vertical wall 90 does not extend down to the lower plate 55 of the pod 600 (or other part(s) of the pod 600 that form or serve as the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 and/or inflow chamber 310). In such instance, the exemplary passageway 100 may be the entire space 101, or only part of the space 101 extending below the lower end 91 of the vertical wall 90.

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , in some embodiments, the passageway(s) 100 between the inflow chamber 310 and cargo compartment(s) 60 may be in one or more suction conduits 160 (e.g., similarly as described above and shown in various appended figures (e.g., FIGS. 1-2, 13-20 )) extending therebetween or therethrough. Thus, the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of the passageway(s) 100 fluidly coupling the inflow chamber(s) 310 and cargo compartment(s) 60 is not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The exemplary pod 600 may also include a fluid removal system 158 and/or debris separation system 350, each having any suitable components, configuration and operation, such as described and shown elsewhere herein in connection with other embodiments. For example, the fluid removal system 158 may include one or more circulation pumps 184 configured to assist in drawing debris and water from the body of water 30, through the intake opening(s) 102 and into the cargo compartment(s) 60. The exemplary circulation pumps 184 may also (e.g., concurrently therewith) discharge water from the chamber 60 to a desired destination (e.g., the body of water 30).

Referring still to FIGS. 99-102 , the circulation pump 184 may have any suitable form, configuration, location, operation and purpose, such as described and shown elsewhere herein in connection with other embodiments. For example, the inlet(s) 164 to the circulation pump(s) 184 may be fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 at or proximate to the lower end 76 thereof (e.g., the bottom 83), such as to minimize the possibility of debris entering the pump(s) 184 and/or for any other purposes. The exemplary circulation pump 184 itself may be at the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 (e.g., coupled to the hull 55) for convenience, ease of access thereto, weight distribution, balance or stability of the pod 600, so that liquid can be removed from a low point in the chamber 60 and/or discharged therefrom through one or more discharge openings 181 into the body of water 30 (e.g., FIG. 102 ) spaced down away from the surface 32 of the body of water (e.g., minimizing disturbance of debris at or near the surface 32 of the body of water thereby), for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. While the illustrated embodiments of pods 600 may show only one circulation pump 184, any desired quantity may be included. Moreover, some embodiments may not include any circulation pumps 184.

In some configurations, the fluid removal system 158 may include one or more discharge pipes, hoses or other conduits, 182 extending from the circulation pump(s) 184 to another vessel, storage tank, bladder bag, etc. In many embodiments, fluid removal system 158 may include one or more discharge pipes, hoses or other conduits, 182 extending from the circulation pump(s) 184 into the body of water 30, such as to selectively position the discharge opening 181 as desired (e.g., spaced down away from the surface 32 of the body of water 30) to minimize disturbance of debris at or near the surface 32 of the body of water, extending on opposing sides of the vessel 10 (e.g., to equalize any thrust caused thereby) for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , the debris separation system 350 may include one or more debris pumps 380 configured to remove debris 34 from the chamber 60 (e.g., during or after debris recovery operations). The debris pump(s) 380 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation, such as described and shown elsewhere herein in connection with other embodiments. For example, a single debris pump 380 may be coupled to the bottom 83 of the chamber 60, such as for convenience, ease of access thereto, weight distribution, balance or stability of the pod 600, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. However, any desired quantity of debris pumps 380 may be included at any desired location. Moreover, some embodiments may not include any debris pumps 380.

For another example, the inlet(s) 382 to the debris pump(s) 380 may be selectively located, such as to help ensure only, or primarily only, debris 34 enters the debris pump(s) 380, help optimize debris recovery operations, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. If desired, the inlet 382 may be positioned in the chamber 60 so that it remains submersed in liquid and/or debris therein substantially throughout debris collection operations (e.g., FIGS. 101, 102 ) to help provide a liquid-sealed system, ensure air/gas that may enter the chamber 60 is not sucked into the debris pump 380, for any other purpose or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, a single debris pump inlet 382 is fluidly coupled to the chamber 60 at or near the upper end 74 thereof and maintained above the upper level 172 of liquid/debris in the compartment 60. However, in other embodiments, multiple inlets 382 may be included and/or the inlet(s) 382 may be at any other location. In some embodiments, the inlet(s) 382 may be selectively moveable to different position in the chamber 60 (e.g., during operations, like a vacuum-cleaner hose).

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , if desired, the debris pump inlet 382 may be provided at the end of or another location in one or more inlet pipe 610 (e.g., hose, riser) fluidly coupled to the debris pump 380. This may be useful, for example, to precisely position the inlet(s) 382 in the chamber 60 at a desired location (e.g., spaced apart from the debris pump 380). The exemplary debris pump 380 may, if desired, be configured to off-load or deliver the recovered debris to any desired location during debris recovery operations (e.g., without at least significant, or any, interruption in debris recovery) or thereafter. For example, one or more debris disposal hoses, or pipes, 386 may be coupled between the debris pump 380 and one or more other vessels (e.g., barges, ships), floating or submersed storage tanks, bags or other debris storage containers 388 (e.g., frac-tanks, holding tanks), any other destination or a combination thereof. In some configurations, there may effectively be no limit to the volume of debris that can be (e.g., rapidly) recovered.

In certain situations, such as when recovering of only solid small-sized debris (e.g., beads), the debris pump 380 may be configured to discharge into a perforated container (e.g., tank, basket), or through a membrane, that will collect the solid debris and allow any water to be drained out. For example, one or more debris disposal hoses 386 from the debris pump(s) 380 may direct output directly into a container surrounded by a filter, or membrane, so that the solid debris will collect in the basket. If desired, the container could be configured to float in the body of water 30 and positioned as desired relative to the vessel 10 (e.g., forward of the intake opening 102 to the pod 600 so that any (e.g., liquid) debris 34 discharged by the debris pump 380 and passes through the container (and filter) can be recaptured by the vessel 10.

In various embodiments, the debris separation system 350 may include one or more flooding ports, or inlets, 354 and/or discharge ports, or outlets, 356 fluidly coupled to the chamber(s) 60 and having any suitable form, configuration, location and operation, such as described and shown elsewhere herein in connection with other embodiments. The flooding port(s) 354, for example, may be useful to allow the collection chamber 60 to be selectively filled (e.g., to, above or below, sea level 33, FIG. 101 ) with sea water from the body of water (e.g., by free-flooding or active filling of the cargo compartment(s) 60 prior to debris recovery operations), During such flooding or filling (or other times), the exemplary discharge port(s) 356 may be open to allow the escape, discharge or purging of air from the chamber 60. In various embodiments, air in the chamber 60 (or one or more portions thereof) is essentially pushed up and out of the discharge port(s) 356 by the rising water therein. The exemplary discharge port(s) 356 can, in some configurations, serve as a one-way vent. In certain embodiments, the debris pump 380 (and/or other device(s), such as a vacuum pump) can be used to actively remove air from the cargo compartment 30.

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , in some embodiments, a single flooding port 354 may be formed in the bottom 83 of the chamber 60 (e.g., the vessel hull 55) to provide direct fluid communication between the body of water 30 and the chamber 60. In other embodiments, one or more flooding ports 354 may be provided at any other location(s) in the chamber 60 or elsewhere in the vessel 10 (e.g., and fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment(s) 60, such as with hoses or pipes). If desired, the flow of sea water into the exemplary chamber 60 through the flooding port 354 may be selectively controlled with at least one flood valve 358. For example, the flood valve 358 (and flooding port 354) may be selectively opened and closed via a manual flood valve handle 360 (e.g., accessible by operators on the top deck 54) or electronically (e.g., via computer-based controller, robot, AI, IoT). In other embodiments, a flood valve 358 may not be included. For example, one or more (e.g., remotely controllable) caps, conduits, submersible fluid pumps 376 (e.g., FIG. 47 ) or other components be used.

In various embodiments, a one or more discharge ports 356 may sit at the peak, or crest, of the sloping roof 406 (e.g., sloped upper wall 81) of the chamber 60, when included. As mentioned, the exemplary discharge port 356 is configured to allow air (and other gas) in the cargo compartment(s) 60 to escape or be purged therefrom (e.g., during flooding of the cargo compartment(s) 60 and/or during debris recovery operations). The evacuation of air from the cargo compartment(s) 60 may be desirable, for example, to allow debris floating in the chamber 60 to reach up to the upper end 74 of the chamber 60 for subsequent removal therefrom, completely fill the chamber 60 with liquid/debris, help form a liquid-sealed system, help ensure only (or primarily) sea water is drawn by the circulation pump(s) 184 and only (or primarily debris) is drawn by the debris pump(s) 380 out of the cargo compartment(s) 60, allow a vacuum to be created/maintained in the chamber 60, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. If desired, the exhaust of air (and/or other gases) from the chamber 60 through the discharge port 356 may be selectively controlled and/or sealed, such as with at least one closure, such as a valve 362 (e.g., FIG. 47 ), hatch 622 (e.g., FIG. 102 ), air evacuator 366 (e.g., vacuum pump 370, submersible fluid pump 376 (e.g., FIGS. 41-47 ), debris pump 380) or any other suitable component(s) having the common quality of being capable of selectively closing or sealing the discharge port 356.

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , in many embodiments, one or more vent pipes, or trunks, 372 may be associated with (e.g., provided over) the discharge port 356. When included, the trunk 372 may have any suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation. In some configurations, the discharge outlet 356 is fluidly coupled to the lower end of the trunk 372, which extends upwardly above the upper wall 81 of the chamber 60 to, or above, the upper deck 54 of the pod 600. In various instances, the trunk 372 can also or instead be oriented at least partially sideways (e.g., with a horizontal, “L”, “S” or “T” shape). Floating debris (e.g., small-sized debris 40) may thus be allowed to rise all the way to the top of the exemplary chamber 60 and into the trunk 372 (e.g., providing for a maximum volume of debris and minimal amount of water collected in the compartment 60 and removed therefrom) and can be maintained at a height (e.g., level 172) in the trunk 372 above the debris pump inlet 382 to the exemplary debris pump 380 (e.g., ensuring that (at least substantial) air is not sucked into the debris pump 380 when it is actuated and/or for any other purposes). However, the flooding valve(s) 358 and discharge port(s) 356 may be used with any other components and have any other suitable form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation, or may not be included.

In some embodiments, the trunk 372 can be generally centered on, or aligned with the center-of-gravity of, the vessel 10 (e.g., FIG. 114 ) so that any sloshing therein will have minimal effect on the position of the vessel 10 and/or for any other reasons. If desired, the trunk 372 can be compact and small (e.g., compared to the size of the vessel 10 and/or chamber 60), such as to optimize the use of the space, minimize the size of the vessel 10, focus at least substantially only debris around the debris pump inlet 382 (e.g., FIG. 138 ), minimize sloshing and emulsification therein, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

The vessel 10 may be designed so that the water/debris level rises in the trunk 372 during free flooding to a height 172 above the debris pump inlet 382 by virtue of the positioning of the top 81 of the chamber 60 or flotation tank(s) 85 (e.g., FIGS. 114, 122 ), other variables or a combination thereof. With the internal water/debris level 172 of the vessel 10 in the (e.g., small-sized) trunk 372 above the chamber 60, for example, the free surface of the collection chamber 60 should typically be focused in the small area of the trunk 372, minimizing or eliminating the free surface effect and any waves or sloshing in the trunk 372 and rocking of the vessel 10 that could be causes thereby, thus enhancing stability of the vessel 10. If there are waves or sloshing in the exemplary (e.g., centered, small-sized) trunk 372, their magnitude should typically be minimal due to the small surface area therein and the centered position of the trunk 372 on the vessel 10 and insufficient to create a lever arm that would cause the vessel 10 to move back and forth. As mentioned elsewhere herein, this sort of configuration, particularly with a chamber 60 having a sloping roof 406, may also help concentrate debris in the trunk 372 and around the inlet 382, reducing the likelihood of entraining water in the intake of the debris pump 380.

The exemplary pod 600 may have one or more operating positions relative to the surface 32 of the body of water 30, such as to position the intake openings 102 so that debris can be drawn into the inflow chamber(s) 310 as desired, position the ceiling 81 of the chamber 60 at, or below, sea level or another desired height, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, the pod 600 may float in the body of water 30 in the desired operating position(s). In some embodiments, the pod 600 includes a single ballast tank 80 (or cavity 454) that extends around the pod 600 above the collection chamber 60 to assist in providing the desired flotation. However, other embodiments may include more than one ballast tank 80 and/or cavity 454 or other flotation mechanisms (e.g., foam, balloon bags, etc. coupled to the outside of the pod 600) at any desired locations. In other embodiments, the pod 600 may not float, or be held in position in or relative to the body of water 30.

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , in many embodiments, the vessel 10 is configured so that, from free-flooding or active filling of the compartment 60 with liquid, the vessel 10 will sink down until the height, or level, 172 of water in the chamber 60 or one or more portions portion 61 thereof (at least approximately) matches the surface 32 of water in the body of water 30 (e.g., the ambient, or sea, level 33) and liquid/debris can entirely (or nearly entirely) fill the chamber 60 or one or more portions 61 thereof (e.g., up to or above the ceiling 81). In some configurations, this will submerse the debris pump inlet(s) 382 in liquid/debris. Referring specifically to FIGS. 101 & 102 , the exemplary vessel 10 may be designed so that free-flooding (e.g., opening the flooding and discharge ports 354, 356) or active filling of the chamber 60, without the need to create a vacuum, will position the ceiling 81 of the chamber 60 (or at least a portion 61 thereof) at or below the surface 32 of water in the body of water 30 (ambient, or sea, level 33), so that the internal level 172 of liquid/debris therein is at or above the ceiling 81. In various embodiments, this can be achieved with a vessel design having the ceiling 81 (or a portion thereof) of the chamber 60 selectively spaced down from the top deck 54 (or other portion) of the vessel 10, which is sometimes referred to herein as a “sunken” cargo compartment 700, collection chamber or the like. In other embodiments, the chamber 60 may be filled to a different internal water level 172 or height.

Once the desired height 172 of liquid in (or above) the exemplary chamber 60 (desired equilibrium) is achieved, the exemplary flooding port 354 is typically closed. If desired, the discharge port(s) 356, or vent pipe 372 (if included), may be closed (e.g., with a hatch 622, valve, door or other mechanism), such as to prevent air from coming back down into the compartment 60 therethrough, in some cases help hold a vacuum over the contents of the compartment 60, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 101 & 102 , thereafter during debris collection operations, the exemplary pod 600 may be configured to generally allow water/debris in the compartment 60 to be maintained at, or proximate to, at least the height 172, such as to retain the debris pump inlet(s) 382 submersed in liquid/debris and/or for any other purpose(s). In many embodiments, maintaining such positioning of the vessel 10, with the collection chamber 60 (or portions 61 thereof) completely, or nearly completely, full of liquid and/or debris, may, in many instances, stabilize, or equalize, the pod 600 and generally represent an “ideal operating position” for debris collection. Generally maintaining one or more ideal operating positions of the pod 600 (e.g., the exemplary chamber 60 (or at least the part 61 of the chamber 60 containing the debris pump inlets 382) full or nearly full of liquid/debris during operations) can, for example, help decrease sloshing and emulsification of water and debris in the chamber 60, optimize use of space in the chamber optimize (e.g., uninterrupted) debris recovery and discharge operations, prevent air from entering the debris pump 380, form a liquid-sealed system, ensure only (or primarily) sea water is drawn by the circulation pump(s) 184 and debris by the debris pump(s) 380 out of the cargo compartment(s) 60, allow a vacuum to be created/maintained in the chamber 60 if desired, provide other benefits or a combination thereof.

Maintaining one or more ideal operating positions of the vessel 10 may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, one or more controllable variables may be varied (e.g., in real-time, intermittently, on an ongoing basis, as needed). In some configurations, the use of one or more ballast tanks 80 (or ballast cavities 454) and/or other ballasting components, location of the upper wall 81 of the chamber 60 in the vessel 19, volume capacity of the chamber operation of the circulation pump(s) 184 and/or debris pumps 380, one or more other variables or a combination thereof may assist in maintaining an ideal operating position. For example, if debris being collected on the vessel 10 is less dense than the water originally occupying the collection chamber 60, one or more ballast tanks 80 (or ballast cavities 454) or other ballast components may be adjusted. For another example, the speed of the vessel 10 (e.g., if the vessel is maneuverable or moved across the body of water 30) and/or one or more of the pumps 184, 380 may be adjusted as needed.

Referring again to FIGS. 99-102 , as mentioned elsewhere herein, the debris recovery system 58 (e.g., debris separation system 350) may include one or more internal sensors 178, such as to indicate the height, volume, type, location or other characteristic of debris or water in the chamber 60 or the compartment portion 61 and/or when to turn on or off, or vary the speed of the circulation pump(s) 184 and/or debris pump(s) 380, for any other desired purpose or a combination thereof. Internal sensors 178 may be useful, for example, to determine or verify the height of water in the chamber 60 during and after free-flooding or active flooding (to know when the vessel 10 is ready for debris collection), the height of water and/or debris in the chamber 60 during and after debris collection, or at any other desired time. In some embodiments, the internal sensor(s) 178 can communicate directly with one or more of the pumps 184, 380 (and/or other components, such as valves) or through software and/or electronics (e.g., PLC) to autonomously and/or automatically vary the speed, or a setting, of such other device(s) (pump, valve, etc.) or turn them on and off.

When included, the internal sensor(s) 178 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation, such as described and shown elsewhere herein in connection with other embodiments (e.g., oily water sensor 180 (e.g., FIGS. 19-20 ), water sensor 497 (e.g., FIG. 52 ), etc.). For example, the internal sensor(s) 178 may be provided at any desired location(s), such as inside the chamber 60 and/or trunk 372. In many embodiments, the internal sensor 178 includes at least one guided wave radar level sensor 498 with at least one elongated probe 499 extending down into the chamber 60 to a desired depth and configured to indicate (e.g., based upon viscosity) the height of water, debris and/or the interface between water and floating debris in the compartment 60. However, any number of these and/or any other types of internal sensors 178 or other techniques may be used help determine, measure or gage the nature, height, location, volume, other characteristic(s) or a combination thereof of the contents of the chamber 60.

Referring briefly to FIG. 100 , in various embodiments, one or more external sensors 694 may be used outside the vessel 10, such as to help determine one or more characteristics of contents of the body of water 30, the presence of debris 34 near, or at, the vessel communicate information to one or more electronic controller 688 (e.g., FIG. 139 ), for any other purposes or a combination thereof. When included, the external sensor(s) 694 may be provided at any desired location. For example, one or more external sensors 694 may be provided in, or on, the body of water 30 (e.g., FIG. 139 ) proximate to the vessel 10 (e.g., intake opening(s) 102) to help detect the type, volume, density, presence or other characteristics of debris at or near the vessel 10. In the exemplary embodiments, one or more external sensors 694 are shown coupled to the vessel 10 (e.g., at a front 42, FIG. 108 ), but could also or instead be moored to another vessel, structure or the shore, free-standing, anchored or floating in the body of water 30, provided at multiple strategic locations in or on the body of water 30 or in any other manner.

Likewise, the external sensors 694 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In some embodiments, the external sensor 694 may detect the presence (or other characteristics) of debris 34 at a desired location in, or floating on, the body of water 30 (e.g., FIG. 139 ). For example, the sensor 694 may sit above the surface 32 of the body of water 30 at a desired location to detect (e.g., a sheen) of oil or other petroleum product on the surface 32 and communicate with one or more other components (e.g., controller 688, pumps 184, 380). Commercial sensors that may be used as the external sensor 694 in some embodiments may be one or more Slick Sleuth® models sold by InterOcean Systems, LLC. However, the present disclosure is not limited to external sensors 694 that detect oil or other petroleum products or the above examples. Other versions of external sensors 694 may detect any desired characteristic of any type of debris 34 (e.g., solids) or other contents in or on the body of water 30 or which are otherwise external to the vessel 10. In fact, the external sensor(s) 694 can be of the same type, and have any of the other characteristics, qualities, capabilities and functions, as any of the internal sensors 178 described or shown elsewhere herein, except and only to the extent as may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of the external sensors 694 as described and shown herein. Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all the details of the internal sensors 178 are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties with respect to the external sensors 694.

In many embodiments, during debris collection and separation operations, it may be undesirable to turn on the debris pump(s) 380 on when there is no debris to be discharged, such as to avoid filling debris storage containers 388, 556 with water and/or for other reasons. The debris recovery system 58 may, if desired, provide strategic control of debris pumps 380 to avoid such occurrences. For example, with the use of one or more sensors 178, 694, the debris pump 380 can be precisely cycled “on” when there is debris to be removed and “off” when water is approaching the debris pump inlet(s) 382 (or at other desired times). In the present embodiments, the use of one or more exemplary internal sensors 178 may provide clear delineation between water and debris (e.g., oil) in the chamber 60 and/or trunk 396 to reasonably ensure that only, or substantially only, debris is discharged by the debris pump(s) 380.

Referring again to FIGS. 99-102 , the exemplary pod 600 may have a framework 640 shown extending at least partially below the bottom, or hull, 55 of the pod 600, such as to serve as resting skids for supporting the pod 600 when stored or not waterborne, help protect other components of the pod 600 (e.g., pumps 184, 380, conduits 182, 386), for any other purposes or a combination thereof. The protection frame 640, when included, may have any suitable form, configuration, components, location and operation. For example the protection frame 640 may be a cage-like structure (like a jeep roll cage) or be otherwise open or perforated. Various embodiments may not include a protection frame 640.

If desired, one or more containment booms may be associated with, or part of, the pod 600 and useful during debris collection operations to encourage debris/liquid flow into one or more intake openings 102 from the body of water 30, increase the efficiency, speed and/or effectiveness of debris recovery operations, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. The containment boom may, for example, include any of the features, characteristics or uses of the elongated booms 190 and/or containment booms 400 described and shown with respect to other embodiments herein. to the extent they are not incompatible with this embodiment. However, the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of containment booms 400 is not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure or it claims, or any claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. Moreover, various embodiments may not include any containment booms 400.

Still referring to FIGS. 99-102 , the pod 600 may be deployed in any suitable manner. For example, the pod 600 may be self-propelled, or lifted and lowered (e.g., from a vessel-of-opportunity or other vessel, helicopter, platform, etc.) into the body of water 30 with a crane, winch or other suitable equipment. In the illustrated version, the pod 600 may be lifted with the use of one or more harnesses 630 (sling, cable, etc.) releasably coupled to two or more tie-downs, or lift points, 632.

When included, the ballast tanks 80 and/or cavities 454 may have any suitable form, configuration, location and operation. For example, one or more ballast cavities 454 may include foam or other floating material, air or a combination thereof. If desired, one or more of the ballast cavities 454 may be selectively controllable (e.g., by insertion and/or removal of water, air, other fluids, etc.) to ensure the desired ballasting of the pod 600 during operations, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, for example, it may be necessary or desirable to adjust the buoyancy of the pod 600 during operations, such as when the type or density of debris changes.

Additional or different ballasting components (e.g., floats, air jets, etc.) may be included in the pod 600 or associated therewith (e.g., by tether) at any desired location. For example, one or more ballast cavities 454 may instead or also be provided on the underside of the pod 600. Accordingly, additional, different or no ballast tanks 80 (or cavities 454) may be provided, and when the pod 600 is configured to float, any suitable form, configuration and operation of components may be used. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited by the nature, type, configuration, components, location, operation or inclusion of ballast cavities 454 or other ballasting components associated with the pod 600, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Still referring to 99-102, instead of or in addition to floating, the pod 600 may be supported in its desired operating position(s) in any suitable manner. For example, the debris disposal conduit(s) 386 (and/or other components coupled to the vessel 10) may hold, or support, the pod 600 in one or more desired operating positions. If desired, the pod 600 may be selectively moveable (e.g., via gravity, electric motor, hydraulic or pneumatic control systems, etc.) between multiple positions. For example, the pod 600 may be moveable generally up and down between at least one stowed position and at least one operating position (e.g., similar to the exemplary ingestion heads 440, FIGS. 58-60, 65-73 ). However, any other components and techniques may be used to position the pod 600 in its operating position(s).

Referring specifically to FIG. 99 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, in many embodiments, one or more monitors 642 (e.g., such as flowmeters), may be provided at one or more locations on the pod 600, or other form of vessel 10, to record information relating to the liquid/debris at that location and/or for any other purposes. For example, it may be desirable to measure and/or record the volume, flow rate, density or pressure of liquid/debris entering the chamber 60 and/or processed through one or more of the respective pumps 184, 380 on a real-time and/or historical basis.

In various embodiments, the pod 600 may be used at onshore and/or offshore debris recovery locations (e.g., similar to the remote debris recovery arrangements 420 of FIGS. 58-61, 83-86 and 91-95 ). Onshore locations can include, but are not limited to, refineries, tank farms, treatment plants, outfall canals, ditches, swamps, wetlands, craters, earthen cavities, shallow inland waterways, tunnels, caverns, etc.

If desired, the pod 600 can be scalable, sized and configured to fit a particular application, type or location of operation, for a desired debris recovery capability, for any other reasons or a combination thereof. Accordingly, there may be a multitude of different sizes/configurations of pods 600. For example, the pod 600 of FIGS. 99-102 could have a generally square overall shape with an exemplary approximate length of four feet (4′), width of four feet (4′) and height, or depth, of fourteen feet (14′) (e.g., for deployments in offshore locations, deep lakes, etc.). The exemplary pod 600 of FIGS. 103-106 has the same or similar features and capabilities as the pod 600 of FIGS. 99-102 and an exemplary approximate length of three feet (3′), width of three feet (3′) and height, or depth, of two feet (2′) (e.g., for deployments in rivers, bays, tank farms, etc.). The exemplary pod 600 of FIGS. 107-138 has the same or similar features of the pod 600 of FIGS. 99-102 and additional features and could have an exemplary approximate length of about five-and-a-half feet (5½), width of three-and-a-quarter to four feet (3¼-4′) and height, or depth, of four feet (4′). However, the present disclosure is not limited to these exemplary dimensions. Thus, any differing description, details and illustrations of the embodiments of FIGS. 91-94, 95-98 and 107-138 apply to each other. Accordingly, all the details provided and shown herein with respect to each embodiment (FIGS. 91-94, 95-98 and 107-138 ) or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated herein by reference in the entireties with respect to each other.

Reference will now be made to the embodiment of the pod 600 shown in FIGS. 107-138 to describe certain features. Similarly as above, the features and details provided herein with respect to FIGS. 107-138 apply equally to the embodiments of pods 600 shown in FIGS. 99-102 and 103-106 and other embodiments of vessels 10. Referring specifically to FIGS. 107-109 , the pod 600 may be configured for easy assembly, disassembly and access to components or areas (e.g., chamber 60) therein and/or for any other purposes. For example, the pod 600 may have separate upper and lower bodies 654, 656 easily connectable together and disconnected, such as with bolts or other connectors. In some configurations, one or more seals 658 (e.g., FIG. 131 ) can be sandwiched between the upper and lower bodies 654, 656, such as to help seal the interior of the vessel 10 as desired. The upper and lower bodies 654, 656 may house, or carry, or many internal components of the pod 600 so that each can be assembled, handled, replaced etc. as a self-contained modules.

In this embodiment, the upper body, or bonnet, 654 forms and covers the (single) chamber 60 (e.g., FIG. 115 ), and can thus be considered the collection chamber bonnet. For example, the illustrated upper body 654 provides the upper wall 81 and part of the side walls 82 of the chamber 60. In this instance, the upper wall 81 has sloping portions 81 a, 81 b that form a sloping roof 406 over the chamber 60. The exemplary upper wall 81 also carries, or supports, the debris pump 360, which, in this embodiment is hung therefrom, such as with one or more mounting brackets 659 (e.g., FIG. 114 ) to position the pump 360, its inlet(s) 382 and one or more debris disposal pipes 386 where desired and/or for any other purposes. For example, the inlet(s) 382 to the debris pump(s) 380 may be positioned in the trunk 372 at a height that will maintain it submerged in debris/water throughout debris pumping operations (e.g., FIG. 114 ), such as to maintain a liquid-sealed system, minimize emulsification of debris/water in the chamber 60, optimize debris recovery by the pump 380, for any other purposes (such as described and shown elsewhere in this patent), or a combination thereof.

Referring now briefly to FIGS. 114 & 115 , the exemplary upper body 654 also provides the discharge port(s) 356, shown fluidly coupling the chamber 60 to a trunk 372. Though not required, the trunk 372, when included may, for example, be releasably or more permanently coupled (e.g., by bolts, weld) to the upper body 654 or integral therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, various components are conveniently accessed at, or disposed atop, the trunk 372. For example (as shown more clearly in FIG. 136 ), this includes a cover, or cap, 501 that provides access to one or more internal sensors 178 (e.g., guided wave radar level sensor 498), an actuated (e.g., electric) valve 594 useful for draining liquid out of the vessel 10 (e.g., when removing the pod 600 from a body of water), if desired, and a one-way relief valve 362 (e.g., swing check valve) useful for allowing air to escape or be purged from the chamber 60 through the discharge port 356). If desired, the upper body 654 may also provide, or house, the intake openings 102 and any associated components (e.g., IFR 140) of the vessel 10 (e.g., FIG. 116 ). In this embodiment, the (single) intake opening 102 is formed in an intake chute 657 coupled to, or integral with, the upper body 654 at the front 42 thereof.

Referring back to FIGS. 107 & 108 , in some embodiments, the upper body 654 may also carry, or support, one or more ballast tanks 80 or cavities 454. This may be done in any suitable manner. For example, one or more adjustable-position flotation tank 85 (described below) may be supported on each respective sloping portion 81 a, 81 b of the upper wall 81 and selectively moveable relative thereto (e.g., FIGS. 130 & 131 ).

If desired, the upper body 654 (or other components) and adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 may be configured to provide optimal positioning the entirety of the collection chamber 60 below the surface 32 of the body of water 30 (e.g., without the need for a trunk 372, or to create a vacuum when free-flooding the chamber 60), so that the tanks 85 are moveable between multiple positions over the collection chamber 60, do not more than minimally increase the width or height of the pod 600 or stay largely within the profile of the vessel 10, other benefits or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, the underside of each tank 85 a, 85 b is angled to correspond with the slope of the associated wall portion 81 a, 81 b (e.g., FIG. 131 ). The exemplary tanks 85 are moveable angularly up and down along the corresponding sloping sides 81 a, 81 b and over the collection chamber 60 between at least one upper position nested over the walls 81 a, 81 b (e.g., FIG. 122 ) and at least one lower position minimally, or not, protruding outwardly from the pod 600 (e.g., FIG. 124 ). Thus, the sloping roof 406 (e.g., FIGS. 115, 130 ) can allow for a streamlined, compact, space-efficient, modular, ideal configuration of the pod 600 and for the use of adjustable-position flotation tanks 85. In contrast, for example, if the top 81 of the chamber 60 (e.g., and upper body 654) were squared off, adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 may have to hang off the side of the pod 600 and substantially increase the total beam, or width, of the pod 600. However, any other arrangements may be used.

Referring back to FIGS. 114 & 115 , the exemplary lower body, or box, 656 forms, or surrounds, the lower part of chamber 60. For example, the lower body 656 may provide the bottom 83 and part of the side walls 82 of the chamber 60. If desired, the circulation pump 184 and/or barrier 503 (e.g., suction diffuser 504) may rest on, or be mounted to the lower body 656, such as at the bottom 83 of the chamber 60. In the illustrated configuration, the suction diffuser 504 rests on, or is mounted to, the bottom 83 and the circulation pump 184 is supported by and/or coupled to at least one stand 584 (e.g., FIGS. 133 & 134 ) extending up from the bottom 83. The exemplary circulation pump 184 is positioned above, or resting upon, the suction diffuser(s) 504, such as to help position its pump inlet 164 within, or below, the suction diffuser 504, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

In some configurations, the size of the vessel 10 and/or chamber 60 may be easily increased or decreased, such as to help accommodate debris collection scenarios (e.g., requiring a larger or allowing a smaller chamber 60, different type of debris, different depth body of water 30). For example, the upper body 654 and/or lower body 656 may be switched out to provided different sized versions of the pod 600, chamber 60, etc. For another example, one or more extensions 662 (e.g., adding 12″, 18″, 24″ depth or more or less, FIG. 131 ) may be easily installed (e.g., with mating portions, bolts or other connectors) between the upper and lower bodies 654, 656 to increase or decrease the depth and capacity of the vessel 10, chamber 60, etc. However, any other components and techniques may be used when it is desired to change the size, or one or more dimensions, of the vessel, collection chamber 60 or other part thereof.

Referring briefly back to FIGS. 107-109 , as mentioned above, any suitable components or features may be provided for deploying or retrieving the pod 600. In this embodiment, a lifting arm 660 extends from the upper body 654 for lifting the pod 600. If desired, one or more lifting eyes 661 (e.g., FIG. 131 ) may also, or instead, be provided.

In another independent aspect, the pod 600 may have one or more structural supports, such as to help maintain the integrity, shape, stability, rigidity, strength or other characteristic of one or more portion thereof. In this embodiment, the sloping portions 81 a, 81 b of the upper wall 81 (e.g., FIG. 131 ) and rear plate, or wall, 672 of the illustrated upper body 654 have one or more ribs 667 (e.g., bead rolls), such as to help increase strength and prevent deformation or bowing of the walls 81, 672. The exemplary lower plate, or hull, 55 of the pod 600 includes a series of beams 666 (e.g., aluminum tubes), such as to help maintain the integrity, shape, stability, rigidity and strength of the pod 600. This, may be particularly important, for example, if the pod 600 needs to be lifted with water in it, such as in the case of equipment (e.g., valve, pump, piping or power) failure. In some instances, the pod 600 may need to maintain its integrity if lifted when full of water. However, beams 666, ribs 667 or other supporting features could be provided at any additional or other locations and in any other manner, or not included.

Referring now to FIGS. 117 & 118 , in another independent aspect, the fluid removal system 158 may be configured to discharge water to the body of water without at least substantially affecting the position of the vessel 10 and/or stirring up, or disturbing, debris in the body of water, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the circulation pump(s) 184 may discharge water to the body of water through one or multiple discharge pipes 182 and corresponding discharge openings 181 (e.g., FIG. 119 ) to achieve any such objective. In some arrangements, the discharge openings 181 may be on opposing sides or ends of the vessel 10 (e.g., left and right sides 46, 48, front and rear ends 42, 44) to help oppose, or cancel, each other's discharge thrust and attempt to achieve a zero-thrust reaction caused thereby and not cause significant undesirable movement of the vessel 10.

In the illustrated fluid removal system 158, for example, two discharge pipes 182 a, 182 b are split off from the pump outlet 187 (e.g., in a “Y”, or rams-horn, arrangement) to ideally discharge water substantially equally on the opposing left and right sides 46, 48 of the vessel 10 and hopefully at least substantially negate each other's thrust. The discharge openings 181 a are shown near the rear 44 of the vessel 10, but could be closer to, or at, the front 42, somewhere in the middle or elsewhere (e.g., through the vessel bottom, or hull, 55). For example, in FIGS. 120 & 121 , an option is provided to direct the discharge from the pump 184 (e.g., in flow path 593 through internal passageways, or chutes, 592) to discharge openings 181 b at the front 42 of the vessel 10. This may be desirable, for example, to effectively recirculate output of the circulation pump(s) 184 back toward the intake opening(s) 102 for reentry into the vessel 10 in case there is debris in the output, verses discharging it into the body of water 30 away from the intake openings 102. Thus, the pod 600 can be configured with discharge openings 181 at multiple locations, any combination of which can be used. In such configurations, (e.g., temporary) covers can, for example, be placed over the openings 181 not being used.

Referring back FIGS. 117 & 118 , for another example, reducing the velocity of the discharge may help achieve the aforementioned (or other) objectives. Generally, the higher the discharge fluid velocity, the greater the forces may be placed on the vessel 10, which may make it move undesirably. Reducing the discharge flow velocity may be accomplished in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, at least one perforated grate 586 may be provided in the path of the fluid discharge, such as over each discharge opening 181, to dissipate and slow the flow. In some cases, a grate 586 having a total cross-sectional area of all perforations 510 greater (e.g., by at least 1.5×) than the cross-sectional area of the pump outlet 187, discharge pipe 182 (or discharge path) may distribute the flow over a wider area and reduce the discharge velocity.

For yet another example, the fluid removal system 158 may be configured to discharge water at least approximately horizontally off the vessel 10, such as to help prevent significantly affecting the attitude, or rocking, of the vessel 10 caused thereby, minimize stirring up, or disturbing, silt or other materials in a shallow body of water, reduce the velocity of outflow, for any other purposes (e.g., mentioned above) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a discharge chest 588 (or other structure) may be provided at each discharge opening 181 to help direct at least some of the discharge out generally horizontally from the vessel 10. The discharge chest 588, when included, may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In this embodiment, the discharge chest 588 has at least one horizontal guide surface, or plate, 590 (e.g., FIG. 135 ) to help turn the discharge in a path coming of the vessel 10 generally perpendicular to a side wall 82 of the vessel 10. However, any other configuration may be used.

Still referring to FIGS. 117 & 118 , for still a further example, it may be desirable to discharge water from the vessel 10 as far away from the surface of the body of water as practical, such as to minimize surface disruption, help avoid disturbing, or emulsifying, debris at or near the surface, blowing floating debris away from the vessel 10, and so on. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished by positioning the discharge openings 181 as low as practical on the vessel 10, such as proximate to the hull, or lower plate, 55 (e.g., FIG. 109 ).

Some situations may warrant the use of discharge pipes 182 (or external discharge chutes) extending off the vessel 10 to direct the discharge to a desired location (e.g., down and away from the vessel 10, to the front 42 of the vessel 10 to help drive floating debris into the intake opening(s) 102). Of course, other variables may be considered in developing a particular discharge strategy so as to not create other problems, such as to avoid stirring up debris on the seafloor in a shallow body of water.

Still referring to FIGS. 117 & 118 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, one or more ballast tanks 80 (or ballast cavities 454) provided, on or associated with, the vessel 10, may be moveable relative to one or more other components of the vessel 10, such as to change the position (e.g., depth, attitude) of the vessel 10 in the body of water 30 (e.g., FIGS. 122-129 ), optimize the position of the cargo compartment(s) 60 relative to the surface 32 of the body of water 30, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. Ballast tanks 80 (or ballast cavities 454) that are so moveable are sometimes referred to herein as adjustable-position flotation tanks 85.

When included, the adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 may have any suitable form, configuration, location, components and operation. For example, the tanks 85 may be mechanically adjustable between multiple positions. In this embodiment, at least first and second adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 a, 85 b are shown coupled to the vessel 10 and positioned at least partially above, and selectively, independently moveable at least partially over and relative to the chamber(s) 60. The first exemplary tank 85 a is at, or closer to, the left side 46 of the vessel and the second tank 85 b is at, or closer to, the right side 48 of the vessel 10. However, in other embodiments, any number of adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 (e.g., 1, 3, 4 or more) may be associated with the vessel 10 in any other manner and location and may be only concurrently moveable.

In various embodiments, the adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 may be moveable between different positions and releasably secured in each position, such as to provide different positions of the vessel 10 in the body of water 30 and/or for any other purposes. For example, one or more tanks 85 may be moved to affect or change the height, or draft, of the vessel in the body of water 30. In FIGS. 122 & 123 , a high-draft position is shown where the buoyancy of the vessel 10 is decreased by positioning the illustrated tanks 85 a, 85 b in respective uppermost positions. In contrast, a low draft position is shown in FIGS. 124 & 125 , where the buoyancy of the vessel 10 is increased by positioning the exemplary adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 a, 85 b in respective lowermost positions. Thus, in this example, in the first instance (FIGS. 122 & 123 ), the vessel 10 floats deeper in the body of water 30 and the level 172 of liquid in the vessel 10 can be higher, as compared to the second instance (FIGS. 124 & 125 ).

In configurations where at least one adjustable-position flotation tank 85 is moveable independent of at least one other tank 85, there may be situations where it is desirable to place two or more tanks 85 in different positions. For example, in FIG. 126 , the tank 85 b closer to the right side 48 of the vessel 10 is in a higher position than the tank 85 a nearest the left side 46 of the vessel 10, causing the vessel 10 to roll to the right and be less buoyant on the right side 48. The reverse is shown in FIG. 127 , where the tank 85 a closer to the left side 46 of the vessel 10 is in a higher position than the tank 85 b nearest the right side 48 of the vessel 10, causing the vessel 10 to roll toward, and be less buoyant on, the left side 46.

In some embodiments, the pitch of the vessel 10 may be changed by changing the position of one or more adjustable-position flotation tanks 85. In FIG. 128 , for example, the rear end 89 of the tank(s) 85 are shown positioned higher than the front end(s) 87 thereof to sink the rear end 44 of the vessel 10 lower in the body of water 30 than the front end 42 thereof. The opposite effect is shown in FIG. 129 , where the front end 87 of the tank(s) 85 are shown positioned higher than the rear end(s) 89 thereof to sink the front end 42 of the vessel 10 lower in the body of water 30 than the rear end 44 thereof. FIGS. 126-129 thus show the tilt, angle and depth of the exemplary pod 600 with the tanks 85 a, 85 b in different positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 130 & 131 , the adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 may be moveable relative to one or more other components of the vessel 10 in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, each tank 85 is manually movable up and down between multiple positions at different heights along at least one (e.g., aluminum) guide rail 712 extending along part of the height of the vessel 10. For example, one or more carriages 714 (e.g., FIG. 132 ) for engaging each associated guide rail 712 may be mounted on the bottom of each tank 85. In this embodiment, each tank 85 is moveable on two or more spaced-apart guide rails 712, such as to maintain stability and positioning of the associated tank 85 and/or for any other purposes. The exemplary guide rails 712 are mounted onto one of the sloping portions 81 a, 81 b of the upper wall 81, defining a path for the associated tank 85 angularly up/inwards and down/outwards over the collection chamber 60. However, any other suitable components and techniques may be used for moving the adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 relative to one or more other components of the vessel 10. Further, movement of the tanks 85 may also, or instead, be electric-motor driven, hydraulically or pneumatically driven, automated (e.g., computer-based controller driven) or in any other manner.

The adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 may be (e.g., releasably) secured in any desired position in any suitable manner. For example, one or more carriages 714, or other component associated therewith (e.g., pin, teeth, ratchet) may lock in place on the associated rail(s) 712 in any desired position. For another example, one or more releasable locking pins 718 (or other components) may be engaged through one or more connection brackets 708 (or other components) on the tank 85 and one or more anchor flanges 716 (or other components) on the vessel 10 aligned therewith. In the present embodiment, after a tank 85 is moved to a desired position, it may be releasably secured in position by insertion of a locking pin 718 through a connection bracket 708 thereon and aligned flange 716 on the upper body 654 of the vessel 10. If desired, the connection brackets 708 (or other components) may provide multiple (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or more) “position” options to secure the associated tank 85 in different positions relative to the height of the vessel 10. In the illustrated embodiment, each bracket 708 provides four spaced-apart connector holes 710 through which the connector pin 712 may be inserted to secure the tank 85 in any among four positions relative to other components on, and the height of, the vessel 10.

Still referring to FIGS. 130 & 131 , in some embodiments, the adjustable-position flotation tanks 85 may be configured so that each end 87, 89 thereof is independently movable between, and may be secured in, different positions. For example, a distinct connection bracket 708 (or other components) offering multiple position options may be provided at or proximate to each end 87, 89 of each illustrated tank 85. In such instance, after one end 87, 89 of a tank 85 is moved into a different position (e.g., higher or lower) than the other end 87, 89 of the same tank 85 (e.g., with a swivel mechanism, articulating connector or other suitable components), the bracket 708 (or other components) at each end 87, 89, may be releasably coupled to the vessel 10. In FIGS. 128 & 129 , for example, the illustrated tank 85 is shown having its ends 87, 89 secured at different heights relative to one another (and the vessel 10).

Referring to FIG. 138 , various features may be provided to help prevent the intake of debris into the circulation pump(s) 184. For example, debris inflow into the pump 184 may be prevented, or reduced, by including one or more barriers 503 (e.g., suction diffusers 504) in the debris recovery system 58 and/or varying the speed of the circulation pump(s) 184. As mentioned, the suction diffuser 504 may be tailored and optimized depending upon the type of debris being collected and the speed of the pump 184 may be (e.g., dynamically) varied depending upon conditions, the weight, density, thickness, size or other characteristics of the debris, other variables or a combination thereof.

Recovering solid debris, such as beads, for example, may warrant running the circulation pump 184 at full throttle, such as to increase the velocity of intake into the vessel 10. In other embodiments when recovering solid debris, the circulation pump 184 may be turned “off” and the debris pump 380 run at full throttle, such as when water is needed to carry the solids (e.g., beads) through the debris pump 380 and there is therefore no penalty for discharging water with the solids. In fact, in some configurations, such as when the vessel 10 is used only to recover solid debris, the size and power of the debris pump 380 may be increased and the circulation pump 184 and/or IFR 140 not even provided.

Referring now to FIGS. 139 & 140 , any desired devices 692 (e.g., valves, pumps, flow meters, sensors, IFRs, ballast tanks, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, maneuvering systems) on, or associated with, the vessel 10 may be communicably connected, electronically controlled or operate autonomously in any suitable manner. Some or all of the electronics, software, etc. for operating, controlling and communicably interconnecting various components (e.g., variable buoyancy IFRs, doors, gates, pumps, valves, ballast tanks, internal sensors, external sensors, meters, gauges, monitors, vessel propulsion and steering equipment, and other components) may be on-board the pod 600 and/or located elsewhere (e.g., cloud storage, parent vessel-of-opportunity, fixed onshore control station 652) and may involve wired and/or wireless communications. If desired, monitoring and/or control of the vessel 10 may be remotely managed in real-time via any suitable device (smart phone, laptop, etc.) through one or more networks, with the use of software, AI, IoT technology.

FIG. 139 shows an exemplary pod 600 deployed in a body of water 30, such as an outfall ditch 30 a, tank farm, river, etc. Some applications may involve anchoring the pod 600 to another vessel, structure, the earth, sea floor, etc. The illustrated pod 600 has been positioned (e.g., lowered by crane) to float in the body of water 30, its movement restricted by one or more umbilical and/or tethers. If desired, one or more containment booms 400 may be used with the pod 600, such as extending from the front of the vessel 10 toward opposing sides of the body of water 30.

In this embodiment, the vessel 10 is coupled to one or more debris storage containers 388 (e.g., frac-tank, holding tank), such as for continuous offload of debris 34. For example, one or more debris disposal hoses 386 may extend from the debris pump(s) 380 (e.g., on the pod 600, FIG. 114 ) to one or more debris transport containers 566 on the shore (or other location). In this embodiment, two debris transport containers 566 are provided, such as for redundancy and/or to double the debris storage capacity. For example, when a first container 566 is full or ready to be moved or offloaded, debris from the pod 600 can be directed through one or more hoses 386 to the second container 566 while the first container 566 is hauled off via transporter (truck, trailer, loading or moving equipment, etc.), such as to provide at least substantially uninterrupted debris collection and offload.

The pod 600 and its components may be provided power and controlled in any suitable manner. In this embodiment, the pod 600 is coupled, with one or more umbilical 668, to a control station 652 and one or more power systems 650. For example, the control station 652 and power system(s) 650 can be temporary or permanent, skid, truck or trailer mounted, provided on another vessel or structure. The exemplary umbilical 668 includes a communication, or signal, cable, a 12 v power cable and two sets of hydraulic hoses, but could have any other desired number and types of hoses, cables tethers, lines, pipes, other conduits and the like. In some scenarios, the control station 652 and power systems 650 are onshore, but could instead be on another vessel or structure or at any other location. The illustrated control station 652 includes one or more electronic controllers 688 (e.g., CAN bus computer) and related equipment connected by the communication cable(s) to one or more devices 692 (e.g., FIG. 140 ) on the pod 600, such as one or more external sensors 694, internal sensors 178 (e.g. FIG. 103 ), pumps, valves, monitors, etc. In some instances, the controller 688 or control station 652 may also, or instead, communicate with one or more devices 692 via wireless protocol.

Still referring to FIG. 139 , the exemplary power system 650 includes a 12 v power source and one or more hydraulic power units (HPU). In this embodiment, the 12 v power source is coupled via the power cable to one or more electric-driven devices 692 (e.g., FIG. 140 ) on, or associated with, the vessel, such as the valve 594 (FIG. 136 ), and a distinct set of hydraulic hoses extends from the HPU to each pump 184, 380 (e.g., FIG. 137 ), respectively. However, the control station 652 and power systems 650 may have any other components (e.g., pneumatic power units, electric motors, or combustion engines, or not be included, and the pod 600 may be fluidly, mechanically or communicatively coupled to fewer, more or any other components in any suitable manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 138-140 , in various embodiments, the exemplary vessel 10 (e.g. pod 600) may be unmanned, fully or partially autonomous or self-controlled. For example, the pod 600 may be configured to collect and discharge debris automatically or autonomously (without human involvement). This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, control software can be programmed so that one or more electronic, or computer-based, controllers 688 can automatically turn on off and, in some configurations, vary the speed of, one or more pumps 184, 380 based upon information received from one or more other components (e.g., internal sensors, external sensors, monitors, meters, gauges). In exemplary automated debris recovery systems 58, one or more pumps 184, 380 and/or other components may be automatically actuated (e.g., turned on or off, sped up or down, opened or closed), or one or more other controllable variable adjusted, based at least partially upon information, or one or more signals, from one or more internal and/or external sensors 178, 694.

In exemplary autonomous debris recover systems 58, the same may occur without human involvement. For example, in an autonomous system 58, when one or more external sensors 694 detect the presence or other characteristic (e.g., volume, density, type) of debris proximate to the vessel 10 or at any other desired location, the control station 652 (e.g., controller(s) 688) may be woken from a sleep mode and wake other components (e.g. motors, pumps), notify operators and stakeholders, etc. Thereafter, the opposite could occur when the external sensor(s) 694 detect the absence or other characteristic of debris proximate to the vessel 10 or at any other desired location, putting to sleep the control station 652 (e.g., controller(s) 688) and other components (e.g., motors, pumps), notifying operators and stakeholders, etc.

In some embodiments of an autonomous system 58, the controller(s) 688 may signal one or more circulation pumps 184 to be turned “on” when it receives a signal or information from the external sensors 694 indicating the presence or other characteristic of debris proximate to the vessel 10, and signal one or more debris pumps 380 to be turned “on” when it receives a signal or information from one or more internal sensors 178 indicating the presence or other characteristic of debris at a particular location in the vessel 10. The system 58 could, in some cases, be configured to turn “off”, slow down or speed up, the pumps 184, 380 based upon information from one or more internal and external sensors 178, 694. For example, one or more internal sensors 178 can indicate when little, no or insufficient volumes of debris 34 will be entering the debris pump inlet(s) 382 so that the pump(s) 380 can be turned “off”. Likewise, one or more internal or external sensors 178, 694 can indicate when little, no or insufficient volumes of debris 34 will be entering the inlets 164 to the suction pump(s) 184, the vessel 10 and/or one or more chambers (e.g., chambers 310, 60, 340) thereon, or other areas, so that the circulation pump(s) 184 can be turned “off”. Thus, in some configurations, the system 58 may be configured so that the exemplary circulation pump(s) 184 can automatically and autonomously toggle between “on” and “off” when the (e.g., unmanned) system 58 wants to draw debris (and often some water) into the chamber(s) 60 and remove water therefrom, and the debris pump(s) 380 can automatically and autonomously turn between “on” and “off” when the system 58 wants to remove debris from the chamber(s) 60.

As with other exemplary embodiments of vessels 10, the pod 600 may be configured not to store recovered debris or sea water on the pod 600, and the exemplary debris recovery system 58 may be configured to continuously recover debris, separate debris from sea water and separately off-load collected debris and sea water without interruption and unlimited by volume, effectively removing a virtually unlimited volume of debris 40 from the body of water 30. In some configurations, the pod 600 may be coupled to one or more other vessels 10 or collection systems 460 (e.g., FIGS. 83-90 ), such as for further debris/water storage, separation and/or other processing.

In other embodiments, the exemplary pod 600 may include less, additional or different features and capabilities, such as one or more motors or engines, a propulsion and/or steering system (e.g., remote-controlled, automated, AI or IoT driven) to move the pod 600 throughout the debris field 36, between debris fields 36 or otherwise as desired, a debris processing systems 530 (e.g., FIG. 55, 56, 88 ), or a combination thereof.

Now referring to FIG. 140 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, an exemplary network diagram 670 is presented in accordance with one or more embodiments. The network diagram 670 includes one or more client devices 682 a, 682 b, etc. communicably connected to one or more host/control systems 684 and one or more vessels 10 a, 10 b, etc., and/or vessel devices 692 a, 692 b, etc. associated therewith, across a network 680. The network 680 may include one or more different types of networks, such as wired or wireless networks, wide area networks, local area networks, short range networks, and the like. Although the various components and modules in the system are presented in a particular configuration, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the various components and modules can be differently distributed across the network diagram. Further, no part of this disclosure is limited to or by the type of client device 682, vessel 10 (e.g., ships, barges, pods, ingestion heads) or vessel device 692, host/control systems 684 or other components of the network 680, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

The exemplary network 680 includes a first client device 682 a (e.g., equipment operator, industry or government agency, OEM) in which one or more user applications 686 a are stored or can be accessed and a second client device 682 b (e.g., another equipment operator, industry or government agency, OEM) in which one or more user applications 686 b are stored or can be accessed. The network can include any number of additional client devices 682. In various embodiments, the client device 682 may be an electronic device configured to run the user application 686, and may include one or more computing devices, such as a mobile device, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet device, wearable device, and the like.

Still referring to FIG. 140 , the user app 686 may have any desirable features and capabilities. In some embodiments, the user app 686 may be configured to request and present data from the host/control system 684 (e.g., host system 696, vessel/debris recovery control system 688 and/or one or more vessel device(s) 692 (e.g., valves, pumps, internal and/or external sensors, monitors, IFRs, vessel maneuvering system) and direct the control of the vessel 10 and/or associated vessel devices 692 (e.g., pumps 182, 380, IFR's 140, ballast tanks 80, etc.). If desired, the user app 686 may manage data corresponding to the vessel(s) 10 and/or vessel devices 692, such as by storing the data in one or more databases or data structures. The databases or other data structures may be located on one or more persistent storage devices within client 682 and/or communicably coupled to client 682, such as external memory devices, cloud storage, and the like.

Still referring to FIG. 140 , the exemplary network diagram 680 also includes a user and vessel host/control system 684, which may include one or more servers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. The exemplary host/control system 684 may include a central host system 696 and one or more vessel/debris recovery control systems 688 (e.g., electronic controllers) useful to control one or more vessels 10, debris recovery systems 58, components related thereto (e.g., hydraulic power systems) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the host/control system 684 includes, or has access to, a profile store having one or more data structures containing information relating to users of the user apps, vessels and/or vessel devices, across various devices. For example, the profile store may include information identifying one or more users or vessels and/or more complex information, such as user/vessel profiles, user preferences, vessel and vessel device type, age, capabilities, maintenance and performance data and the like. When included, the profile store may be stored on one or more hardware storage devices either within a server or other device of the host system 696, or may be accessed from elsewhere across network 680, such as in cloud storage. The user/vessel host control system 684 (or any components thereof) may include, or access, device control applications for controlling one or more vessels 10, vessel devices 692 and related components and/or enabling user control thereof.

It should be noted that variations of the embodiments of FIGS. 99-140 may include more, fewer or different components, features and capabilities as those described or shown herein. Further, any of the details, features, components, variations and capabilities of other embodiments discussed or shown in this patent or as may be apparent from the description and drawings hereof, are applicable to the embodiments of FIGS. 99-140 , except and only to the extent as may be incompatible with any features, details, components, variations or capabilities of the embodiments of FIGS. 99-140 . Accordingly, other than with respect to any such exceptions, all of the details and description provided in this patent with respect to the other embodiments or as may be shown in the appended drawings relating thereto or which may be apparent therefrom, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 99-140 .

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the debris recovery system 58 in able to recover, or ingest, and store (or dispose of) large amounts of debris (e.g., oil) on the vessel 10 (e.g., pod 600) or other collection system 460 without causing any or significant additional mixing, or emulsification, of the debris with water on the vessel 10 or other collection system 460. By so avoiding further emulsification, the need to separate the debris and water on the vessel 10 or in the collection system 460 is minimized or reduced, reducing the need for extensive separation equipment, allowing for the discharge of a high volume of water or high ratio of water to debris, allowing for the collection of debris accompanied with minimal contaminated water, reducing the time and cost of operations and storage and transport of the recovered debris before final disposal or recycling, producing a water output that is sufficiently contaminant free to be exhausted to the environment, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In many embodiments, a liquid-sealed system and/or inflow optimization features may be provided to enhance performance during debris collection operations.

In typical oil recovery operations, an oleophilic collection process is often used followed by the use of dispersants. After the dispersants are used, however, the typical oleophilic collection processes cannot be restarted for further debris collection. Thus, it is often difficult to know when to switch over (guess at the extent of the debris field) to dispersants. The oleophilic collection process may be terminated prematurely to the detriment of thorough and effective debris recovery operations. Since the exemplary debris recovery systems 58 and methods of use thereof do not rely upon or use any oleophilic collection process, the debris recovery systems 58 can be used before and after the use of dispersants, providing great flexibility in determining when to utilize dispersants and likely improved effectiveness in debris recovery operations.

The present disclosure includes many different independent facets, such as the debris recovery system 58, fluid removal system 158, debris separation system 350, vessel 10, remote debris recovery arrangement 420, collection system 460, collection tank 462, ingestion head 440 and pod 600, each of which can include any one or more of the components, features, details and uses described or shown herein with respect to any embodiments herein, and each of which is not limited to or by the particular form, configuration, construction, components, location, operation and other details relating thereto as described above and shown in the appended figures. Thus, the details of the debris recovery system 58, fluid removal system 158, debris separation system 350, vessel 10, pod 600, remote debris recovery arrangement 420, collection system 460, collection tank 462 and ingestion head 440 as provided and shown herein are not limiting upon the present disclosure and its claims or claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. Further, each such facet and its components and uses can be a stand-alone product or service and a unique invention in its own right, separate and distinct from other facets, components and uses.

It should be noted that the form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, orientation and operation of the components mentioned above are not limited or limiting upon the present disclosure or any claims of any patents related hereto, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Any of the components described above or shown in the appended figures may be automated or electronically or remotely controlled, such as with a computer-based controller, artificial intelligence, computer software and circuits, IoT, robotics and otherwise, to the extent that electronic control is desired and compatible for use with such component(s).

With regard to various embodiments of the present disclosure and appended claims, there may be configurations, applications or periods of use of the debris recovery system 58 during which only debris (and no water) is collected or drawn into the chamber 60. Thus, any mention herein of both debris and water being collected or drawn into the cargo compartment(s) 60 or other area is meant to include and includes use of the exemplary debris recovery system 58 to draw in only debris, only water or any combination thereof, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

Each embodiment described herein or shown in the appended figures and any other embodiments of the debris recovery system 58 may have any one or more of the features described herein, shown in the appended figures or apparent therefrom. Thus, the exemplary embodiments, for example, do not require all of the features presented herein or shown in the appended figures for such embodiments or other embodiments. Accordingly, all of the above components are not required for every or any particular embodiment of the debris recovery system 58 and/or any other components may be used. In fact, it should be clearly understood that the debris recovery system 58 may consist of merely one or more tanks, containers, bladder bags, or any other suitable structure or area for the storage, processing or other disposition water, debris, other substances and materials, or a combination thereof.

When feasible, two or more of any of the above features, components or capabilities of any part of the vessel 10, debris recovery system 58, fluid removal system 158, debris separation system 350, remote debris recovery arrangement 420 and debris processing systems 530 may be provided for redundancy or backup (e.g., in case of equipment failure or the like), to increase capacity, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

The following clauses represent various possible embodiments of the present disclosure:

Clause 1. A waterborne vessel having a top deck and being useful for collecting and separating floating debris and water from debris collection area a body of water, the vessel comprising: a collection-separation chamber within which water and debris are received from the body of water and separated, the collection-separation chamber having an upper end, a lower end and a flooding port fluidly coupling the collection-separation chamber to the body of water and being selectively opened to allow the collection-separation chamber to be free-flooded with water from the body of water without the need for any pumps to fill the collection-separation chamber with water or purge the collection-separation chamber of air, the collection-separation chamber further including a ceiling at the upper end thereof, the ceiling being sufficiently spaced downwardly from the top deck so that after the collection-separation chamber is free-flooded with water without the need for any pumps to fill the collection-separation chamber with water or purge the collection-separation chamber of air, the vessel will sink in the body of water until the collection-separation chamber is completely full of water.

Clause 2. The waterborne vessel of clause 1 wherein the waterborne vessel has only one collection-separation chamber.

Clause 3. The waterborne vessel of clause 1 and other preceding clauses further including an air vent fluidly coupled to the collection-separation chamber at or proximate to the upper end thereof and configured to allow air to be vented from the collection-separation chamber during free-flooding.

Clause 4. The waterborne vessel of clause 3 and other preceding clauses wherein the air vent is selectively closable with the use of at least one closure.

Clause 5. The waterborne vessel of clause 1 and other preceding clauses further including a liquid-sealed system configured to allow the collection-separation chamber to be maintained completely full of water and/or debris throughout debris collection operations.

Clause 6. The waterborne vessel of clause 1 and other preceding clauses further including a debris pump having an inlet fluidly coupled to the collection-separation chamber, the debris pump inlet being positioned relative to the collection-separation chamber so that it will be submerged in debris and/or liquid throughout debris collection operations.

Clause 7. The waterborne vessel of clause 6 and other preceding clauses wherein the debris pump inlet is movable relative to collection-separation chamber, whereby the debris pump inlet may be retained submerged in debris and/or liquid throughout debris collection operations.

Clause 8. The waterborne vessel of clause 1 and other preceding clauses wherein the upper end of the collection-separation chamber at least partially slopes upwardly.

Clause 9. The waterborne vessel of clause 8 and other preceding clauses wherein the ceiling slopes upwardly.

Clause 10. The waterborne vessel of clause 8 and other preceding clauses further including at least two side walls at least partially forming the collection-separation chamber and being adjacent to the roof, wherein at least one of the side walls slopes upwardly.

Clause 11. The waterborne vessel of clause 8 and other preceding clauses wherein a crest is formed at the top of the sloping upper end of the collection-separation chamber, further including an air vent fluidly coupled to the collection-separation chamber at the crest.

Clause 12. The waterborne vessel of clause 8 and other preceding clauses wherein the upper end of the collection-separation chamber has a generally inverted-funnel shape.

Clause 13. The waterborne vessel of clause 8 and other preceding clauses wherein the upper end of the collection-separation chamber has a generally cathedral-ceiling shape.

Clause 14. The waterborne vessel of clause 8 and other preceding clauses wherein the upper end of the collection-separation chamber is vaulted.

Clause 15. The waterborne vessel of clause 1 and other preceding clauses wherein the collection-separation chamber has a sloping roof.

Clause 16. A system for collecting and separating floating debris and water on a vessel from a body of water, the debris and water recovered from the body of water traveling in a flow path on the vessel, the system comprising: an inflow regulator (IFR) configured to be releasably coupled to the vessel and extend at least partially across the flow path, the IFR having a carrier and at least two buoyant floats releasably engageable with the carrier, wherein the buoyancy of the IFR can be varied by changing the number of buoyant floats coupled to the carrier.

Clause 17. The system of clause 16 and other preceding clauses wherein the at least two buoyant floats include three buoyant floats.

Clause 18. The system of clause 16 and other preceding clauses wherein the floats snap into and out of engagement with the carrier.

Clause 19. The system of clause 16 and other preceding clauses wherein the floats can be manually added to and removed from the carrier without removing the IFR from the vessel.

Clause 20. The system of clause 16 and other preceding clauses wherein the floats are releasably engageable to the underside of the carrier at the front end of the IFR.

Clause 21. The system of clause 16 and other preceding clauses wherein the floats seat in a pocket formed by a curved front end of the IFR and the IFR has a solid, smooth front edge.

Clause 22. A system for collecting and separating floating debris and water on a vessel from a body of water, the debris and water recovered from the body of water traveling in a flow path on the vessel, the system comprising: an inflow regulator (IFR) configured to be releasably coupled to the vessel and extend at least partially across the flow path, the IFR having a carrier and at least one weight releasably engageable with the carrier, wherein the buoyancy of the IFR can be varied by changing the number of weights coupled to the carrier.

Clause 23. A system for varying the velocity of floating debris entering a collection chamber of a vessel from a body of water, the system comprising: an intake opening fluidly coupling the collection chamber and body of water; and an inflow tunnel through which all debris entering the collection chamber from the intake opening must pass to reach the collection chamber, the inflow tunnel at least partially formed between opposing first and second walls and having a width extending between the first and second walls, wherein the width of the inflow tunnel can be selectively varied.

Clause 24. The system of clause 23 and other preceding clauses wherein the width of the inflow tunnel may be varied by adding or removing one or more spacers between the first and second walls.

Clause 25. The system of clause 24 and other preceding clauses wherein the first and second walls are the front and rear tunnel walls, further wherein the width of the inflow tunnel may be varied by adding or removing one or more spacers between the front and rear tunnel walls.

Clause 26. The system of clause 24 and other preceding clauses wherein the first and second walls are first and second side walls, further wherein the width of the inflow tunnel may be varied by adding or removing one or more spacers between the first and second side walls.

Clause 27. A waterborne vessel for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water, the waterborne vessel comprising: a collection chamber into which debris and water is drawn from the body of water by a suction pump and from which debris and water are removed, the suction pump having a suction pump inlet fluidly coupled to the collection chamber and through which the suction pump removes water from the collection chamber, wherein the velocity of water entering the suction pump inlet is slowed by at least one barrier disposed at least partially in the collection chamber.

Clause 28. A waterborne vessel for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water, the waterborne vessel comprising: a collection chamber into which debris and water are drawn from the body of water by at least one water discharge pump and from which debris and water are removed, the at least one water discharge pump having a water discharge pump inlet fluidly coupled to the collection chamber and through which the water discharge pump removes water from the collection chamber; an intake opening through which debris and water enter the vessel from the body of water; a flow passageway fluidly coupling the intake opening and collection chamber, wherein the velocity of water entering the water discharge pump inlet is reduced by at least one barrier disposed at least partially between the flow passageway and water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 29. The waterborne vessel of clause 28 and other preceding clauses wherein the water discharge pump inlet has a cross-sectional area and the at least one barrier includes at least one suction diffuser, whereby all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass through at least one suction diffuser.

Clause 30. The waterborne vessel of clause 29 and other preceding clauses wherein the at least one suction diffuser is configured to distribute the suction pressure of the water discharge pump across an area greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 31. The waterborne vessel of clause 30 and other preceding clauses wherein the at least one suction diffuser is perforated.

Clause 32. The waterborne vessel of clause 31 and other preceding clauses wherein the at least one suction diffuser has at least one perforated portion through which all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass.

Clause 33. The waterborne vessel of clause 32 and other preceding clauses wherein the combined cross-sectional area of all perforations in the at least one perforated portion of the at least one suction diffuser is at least 5 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 34. The waterborne vessel of clause 32 and other preceding clauses wherein the combined cross-sectional area of all perforations in the at least one perforated portion of the at least one suction diffuser is at least 10 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 35. The waterborne vessel of clause 32 and other preceding clauses wherein the combined cross-sectional area of all perforations in the at least one perforated portion of the at least one suction diffuser is at least 15 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 36. The waterborne vessel of clause 32 and other preceding clauses wherein the cross-sectional area of the at least one perforated portion of the at least one suction diffuser is at least 30 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 37. The waterborne vessel of clause 32 and other preceding clauses wherein the cross-sectional area of the at least one perforated portion of the at least one suction diffuser is at least 50 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 38. The waterborne vessel of clause 32 and other preceding clauses wherein the cross-sectional area of the at least one perforated portion of the at least one suction diffuser is at least 80 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 39. The waterborne vessel of clause 38 and other preceding clauses wherein each perforation in the at least one suction diffuser has a diameter and at least some of the perforations farthest from the at least one flow passageway have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of at least some of the perforations closest to the at least one flow passageway.

Clause 40. The waterborne vessel of clause 38 and other preceding clauses wherein each perforation in the at least one suction diffuser has a diameter and at least some of the perforations farthest from the at least one flow passageway have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of at least some of the perforations closest to the at least one flow passageway.

Clause 41. The waterborne vessel of clause 40 and other preceding clauses wherein the density of perforations in the at least one perforated portion ranges from 0.50 perforations per square inch of the at least perforated portion to 3.50 perforations per square inch of the at least one perforated portion.

Clause 42. The waterborne vessel of clauses 41 and other preceding clauses wherein each perforation in the at least one suction diffuser has a diameter ranging in size between ¼ inch and 1¾ inch.

Clause 43. The waterborne vessel of clause 42 and other preceding clauses wherein the at least one perforated portion surrounds the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 44. The waterborne vessel of clause 43 and other preceding clauses wherein the at least one suction diffuser includes at least one perforated suction diffuser plate through which all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass.

Clause 45. The waterborne vessel of clause 43 and other preceding clauses wherein the at least one suction diffuser includes a suction diffuser box surrounding the water discharge pump inlet and through which all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass.

Clause 46. The waterborne vessel of clause 45 and other preceding clauses wherein the suction diffuser box has at least two sides and multiple perforations formed on each side, whereby all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass through at least one side of the suction diffuser box.

Clause 47. The waterborne vessel of clause 46 and other preceding clauses wherein the water discharge pump inlet has a cross-sectional area and each perforation formed in the suction diffuser box has a cross-sectional area, whereby the combined cross-sectional area of all the perforations on all sides of the suction diffuser box is at least four times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.

Clause 48. A system for discharging water from a waterborne vessel useful for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water, the vessel having at least one pair of opposing sides and a bottom and being deployable in the body of water, the system comprising: the vessel including a single collection chamber in which debris and water from the body of water is collected and from which debris and water are separately discharged off the vessel, the vessel further including an oil pump and a water discharge pump both fluidly coupled to the collection chamber; and first and second water discharge outlets fluidly coupled to the water discharge pump and through which water from the collection chamber is discharged by the water discharge pump off the vessel in a discharge path parallel to the surface of water in the body, the first and second water discharge outlets being disposed proximate to the bottom of the vessel on opposing sides thereof, respectively, whereby water can be discharged from the vessel without more than minimally altering the position of the vessel and more than minimally disturbing floating debris in the body of water.

Clause 49. The system of clause 48 further including a respective discharge chest fluidly coupled between the water discharge pump and each water discharge outlet, each discharge chest including a horizontal plate in the discharge path between the water discharge pump and respective associated discharge outlet.

Clause 50. The system of clause 48 and other preceding clauses wherein the discharge path internal to the vessel between the water discharge pump and each respective discharge outlet has a cross-sectional area, further including at least one perforated grate disposed over each respective discharge outlet and through which water is discharged from the vessel, wherein the combined cross-sectional area of all perforations in each grate is greater than the cross-sectional area of the internal water discharge path.

Clause 51. The system of clause 48 and other preceding clauses wherein the vessel is unmanned.

Clause 52. The system of clause 48 and other preceding clauses wherein the collection chamber has a sloping roof.

Clause 53. A system for adjusting the position of a vessel floating in a body of water relative to the surface of the body of water, the vessel useful for collecting floating debris from the body of water, the vessel having at least first and second opposite sides, the system comprising: the vessel including a single collection chamber having a roof and in which debris and water from the body of water is collected; and at least first and second adjustable-position floatation tanks positioned at least partially above the roof and closer to the first and second sides of the vessel, respectively, each floatation tank being moveable at least partially over the roof and relative to the roof and collection chamber.

Clause 54. A system for adjusting the position of a vessel floating in a body of water relative to the surface of the body of water, the vessel useful for collecting floating debris and water from the body of water, the vessel having at least first and second opposite sides, the system comprising: the vessel including a single collection chamber having a sloping roof and in which debris and water from the body of water is collected, the sloping roof including at least first and second slanted sections sloping upwardly and inwardly relative to the first and second sides of the vessel, respectively; and at least first and second adjustable-position floatation tanks positioned at least partially above the first and second sections of the roof, respectively, each floatation tank being independently moveable relative to and at least partially over the associated respective roof section and relative to the collection chamber and other floatation tank.

Clause 55. The system of clause 54 and other preceding clauses wherein the vessel has a height and each floatation tank is independently moveable over and relative to the associated respective roof section between at least first and second positions and can be releasably secured in each position.

Clause 56. The system of clause 55 and other preceding clauses wherein the first and second positions of each floatation tank are at different respective heights on the vessel, the first position being higher than the second position, wherein both floatation tanks can be positioned in their respective first positions, both floatation tanks can be positioned in their respective second positions and either floatation tank can be positioned in its first position while the other floatation tank is positioned in its second position.

Clause 57. The system of clause 54 and other preceding clauses wherein the vessel has a height and each floatation tank is elongated and has first and second ends, further wherein each end of each floatation tank is selectively moveable between at least first and second positions relative to the other end thereof and can be releasably secured in each position, the first position being higher on the vessel than the second position, whereby either end of either floatation tank can be secured in either position.

Clause 58. The system of clause 54 and other preceding clauses wherein each floatation tank is selectively moveable angularly up and down at least partially over and along the associated respective roof section and relative to the collection chamber, roof and other floatation tank.

Clause 59. The system of clause 54 and other preceding clauses wherein each floatation tank is moveable between multiple positions along and relative to at least one rail.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure thus offer advantages over the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one or more of the objects of this disclosure. However, the present disclosure does not require each of the components and acts described above and is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments and methods of operation. Any one or more of the above components, features, aspects, capabilities and processes may be employed in any suitable configuration without inclusion of other such components, capabilities, aspects, features and processes. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may have any one or more of the features described or shown in this patent. Moreover, the present invention includes additional features, capabilities, functions, methods, uses and applications that have not been specifically addressed herein but are, or will become, apparent from the description herein, the appended drawings and claims.

The methods that may be described above, claimed herein or are apparent from this patent and any other methods which may fall within the scope thereof can be performed in any desired or suitable order and are not necessarily limited to any sequence described herein or as may be listed in any appended claims. Further, the methods of various embodiments of the present disclosure may include additional acts beyond those mentioned herein and do not necessarily require use of the particular embodiments shown and described herein, but are equally applicable with any other suitable structure, form and configuration of components.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, many variations, modifications and/or changes of the system, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods of the present disclosure, such as in the features, components, details of construction and operation and arrangements thereof and the manufacture, assembly and use thereof, are possible, contemplated by the present patentee, within the scope of any appended claims, and may be made and used by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit, teachings and scope of this disclosure and any appended claims. Thus, all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and the scope of this disclosure and any appended claims should not be limited to the embodiments described or shown herein. 

1. An autonomous system for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on a waterborne vessel, the vessel being deployable in the body of water, the system comprising: the vessel being unmanned and including a single collection chamber having upper and lower ends and a sloping roof at the upper end thereof, the vessel further including a debris pump and a water discharge pump both fluidly coupled to the collection chamber, wherein debris and water from the body of water are collected in the collection chamber and debris, separated and separately discharged off the vessel; an electronic controller; an internal sensor disposed at least partially within the collection chamber and communicably coupled to the electronic controller, the internal sensor being configured to gather information about contents of the collection chamber and communicate such information to the electronic controller; and an external sensor associated with the body of water and communicably coupled to the electronic controller, the external sensor being configured to gather information about debris in the body of water and communicate such information to the electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller is configured to turn on and off the water discharge pump based at least partially upon information from the external sensor and turn on and off the debris pump based at least partially upon information from the internal sensor, both without human involvement.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the debris pump and water discharge pump are disposed in the collection chamber.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the upper end of the collection chamber is vaulted, has a generally inverted-funnel shape or a generally cathedral-ceiling shape.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the vessel has at least one top deck and the collection chamber has a flooding port fluidly coupling the collection chamber to the body of water and being selectively opened to allow the collection chamber to be free-flooded with water from the body of water without the need for any pumps to fill the collection chamber with water or purge the collection chamber of air, the collection chamber further including a ceiling at the upper end thereof, the ceiling being sufficiently spaced downwardly from at least one top deck of the vessel so that after the collection chamber is free-flooded with water without the need for any pumps to fill the collection chamber with water or purge the collection chamber of air, the vessel will sink in the body of water until the collection chamber is completely full of water.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein debris and water recovered from the body of water travel in a flow path on the vessel, further including an inflow regulator (IFR) releasably coupled to the vessel and extending at least partially across the flow path, the IFR having a carrier and at least two buoyant floats releasably engageable with the carrier, wherein the buoyancy of the IFR can be varied by changing the number of buoyant floats coupled to the carrier.
 6. The system of claim 1, further including an intake opening and an inflow tunnel, the intake opening fluidly coupling the collection chamber with the body of water and the inflow tunnel fluidly coupled between the intake opening and collection chamber, the inflow tunnel being at least partially formed between opposing first and second walls and having a width extending between the first and second walls, wherein all debris entering the collection chamber from the intake opening must pass through the inflow tunnel and the width of the inflow tunnel can be selectively varied.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the width of the inflow tunnel may be varied by adding or removing one or more spacers between the first and second walls.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein water from the collection chamber is removed through an inlet of the water discharge pump, whereby the velocity of water entering the water discharge pump inlet is slowed by at least one barrier disposed at least partially in the collection chamber.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least one barrier includes a suction diffuser.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the water discharge pump has an inlet fluidly coupled to the collection chamber and through which the water discharge pump removes water from the collection chamber, further including an intake opening through which debris and water enter the vessel from the body of water and a flow passageway fluidly coupling the intake opening and collection chamber, wherein the velocity of water entering the water discharge pump inlet is reduced by at least one barrier disposed at least partially between the intake opening or flow passageway and the water discharge pump inlet.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one barrier includes a perforated suction diffuser, whereby all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass through the suction diffuser.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the water discharge pump inlet has a cross-sectional area, whereby the suction pressure of the water discharge pump is distributed by the suction diffuser across an area greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the vessel has at least one pair of opposing sides and a bottom, further including first and second water discharge outlets fluidly coupled to the water discharge pump and through which water from the collection chamber is discharged by the water discharge pump off the vessel in a discharge path at least substantially parallel to the surface of water in the body, the first and second water discharge outlets being disposed proximate to the bottom of the vessel on opposing sides thereof, respectively, whereby water can be discharged from the vessel without more than minimally altering the position of the vessel and more than minimally disturbing floating debris in the body of water.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the vessel has at least first and second opposite sides, further including first and second adjustable-position flotation tanks positioned at least partially above the roof, the first adjustable-position flotation tank being closer to the first side than the second side of the vessel the second adjustable-position flotation tank being closer to the second side than the first side of the vessel, each flotation tank being moveable up and down at least partially over and relative to the roof and collection chamber.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the sloping roof includes first and second slanted sections sloping upwardly and inwardly from the first and second sides of the vessel, respectively, further wherein each adjustable-position flotation tank is independently moveable in an angled path up and down at least partially over and relative to the respective roof section associated therewith.
 16. A method of autonomously collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on an unmanned, waterborne vessel, the vessel being deployable in the body of water and including a single collection-separation chamber, and a circulation pump and debris pump both fluidly coupled to the collection-separation chamber, the circulation pump configured to draw water and debris from the body of water into the collection-separation chamber and discharge water from the collection-separation chamber off the vessel, the debris pump configured to discharge debris from the collection-separation chamber off the vessel, the method comprising: an internal sensor, disposed at least partially within the collection-separation chamber and communicably coupled to an electronic controller, gathering information about contents of the collection-separation chamber; the internal sensor communicating information about contents of the collection-separation chamber to the electronic controller; an external sensor, associated with the body of water and communicably coupled to the electronic controller, gathering information about debris in the body of water; the external sensor communicating information about debris in the body of water to the electronic controller; the electronic controller turning on and off the circulation pump based at least partially upon information from the external sensor without human involvement; and the electronic controller turning on and off the debris pump based at least partially upon information from the internal sensor without human involvement.
 17. A waterborne vessel useful for autonomously collecting floating debris and water from a body of water and discharging water into the body of water, the vessel comprising: a collection chamber fluidly coupled to the body of water by an intake opening; a water discharge pump having an inlet fluidly coupled to the collection chamber, the water discharge pump being configured to draw water and debris from the body of water, through the intake opening and into the collection chamber and discharge water from the collection chamber off the vessel, whereby all water discharged off the vessel by the water discharge pump must pass through the water discharge pump inlet; a perforated suction diffuser disposed at least partially between the intake opening and water discharge pump inlet, wherein all water entering the water discharge pump inlet must pass through the perforated suction diffuser and whereby the velocity of water entering the water discharge pump inlet is reduced by the suction diffuser; and at least one sensor communicably coupled to the water discharge pump and configured to gather information about debris near or inside the vessel, wherein the water discharge pump is automatically turned on and off based at least partially upon information gathered by the at least one sensor.
 18. The waterborne vessel of claim 17 wherein the water discharge pump inlet has a cross-sectional area, whereby the suction pressure of the water discharge pump is distributed by the suction diffuser across an area greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.
 19. The waterborne vessel of claim 18 wherein the combined cross-sectional area of all perforations in the suction diffuser is at least five times greater than the cross-sectional area of the water discharge pump inlet.
 20. The waterborne vessel of claim 17 wherein the collection chamber is a sunken collection chamber. 